I sold my 1950 Ford two-door Coupe with a flathead V8 today. I bought it about three years ago with the plan of totally restoring it and driving it as my daily driver. I had a 1950 Ford Coupe just like it in High School, and I loved it. I have purchased at least a dozen books on restoring this car. Some of you may have seen and remember the old movie with Robert Mitchum called “Thunder Road.” It was about a family making and selling moonshine in Tennessee. Like mine, the car that transported the illegal whiskey was a hopped-up 1950 Ford Coupe. I sold it because I didn’t think I would ever have the energy, the money, or the time to get it done before I died. Even though I am sure it was the wisest decision, as I watched the old car go down my driveway on a flatbed trailer, I got all choked up; I was experiencing the death of a dream. Selling it was part of my goal to simplify my life and have more time for ministry activities. Someone asked me the other day how much stuff I would sell, and I said I would consider selling anything and everything I had except for Patty! She was glad to hear that! In a couple of days, I will be over my melancholy fit over the loss of the car and be off to some new things. I have a couple of new goals for ministry coming up, and I know they will stretch, challenge, and be very fulfilling.

I think I am entering into a new chapter in my life. I have had a lot of variety in my life, including fishing, hunting, bicycling, building, restoring cars, traveling a lot, family, and ministry. I have always done a lot in ministry, but I want to do even more in the next ten years as I streamline and simplify my life. I am declining rapidly in my physical energy, but the cool thing is that I can write, read, and teach with little expenditure of physical energy. My mind is still sharp, and my mental and emotional energy seems to be increasing as I focus more on that area of my life. I am maintaining my basic exercise goals so I stay healthy, and I will still fish, and who knows, I may even start gardening.

August is wood month. It is the month that I focus on getting all of our firewood in for the winter. We heat our house exclusively with wood, and it takes about eight cords to keep it toasty and warm for the winter. Last week, I built a new wood shed that is closer to our house than our old one. Today, I did some repair work on our hydraulic splitter to make it usable. I also repaired the little trailer our riding lawnmower pulls to haul the split wood to our woodshed. I also bought a new wheelbarrow with two tires in the front because I am getting so wimpy I kept tipping over the old one with only one tire in the front. So, I think I am ready to get as many grandkids as possible to come over for a bunch of splitting and hauling firewood. We have a big pile of oak “rounds” that guys in our church cut and hauled to our house for us, so now we are ready for a couple of big wood days and will be ready for winter.

When I was a kid growing up on the farm, there were many different chores we needed to do seasonally, like putting in the hay and harvesting food from our garden, but my favorite of all the things we did on the farm was getting firewood. It was pretty much the same routine when I was a kid as it is now, except we didn’t have a hydraulic wood splitter. I enjoyed the firewood gathering as a kid, and I also get a lot of satisfaction from it now, even though it was and is a lot of hard work. I was thinking about it today as I contemplated installing a “ductless heating system” to save all this work, wondering why I enjoy it so much that I keep doing it. I also enjoyed stacking up 150 pounds of frozen salmon fillets in the freezer that I caught in Alaska. I also have a blast on the day that we have a bunch of grandkids over, pick our apples, and make about 20 gallons of cider. Oh well, even though I don’t know why I get so much satisfaction from these activities, I think I will keep doing them, for now, anyway.

I have a little over 4,000 friends on Facebook. I “friended” many of them, but I also have had many people who “friended” me. I have no clue who many of them are, and I suppose they got my name because of our radio program, attended church, or read my blog. I never really connect with most of them. Four thousand people is a lot to keep track of, but occasionally someone will want to “chat” on Messenger. Most of the time, I don’t know them, but they know who I am, and usually, their motive for connecting with me is to get advice or counsel about something in their life that is a problem. I enjoy helping people and usually try to steer them towards faith in Christ. Often, they terminate the conversation when I get too “preachy,” as one person wrote. Last night, I chatted with a young lady for a while. She didn’t seem to have any problems she wanted to discuss; she just wanted to chat. She had written that she was thirty years old, and I quickly concluded that she was lonely and had no friends. I wrote that I have several really great daughters who I could connect her with and who would love to get to know her. She responded, no, that she wanted to get to know me and chat with me. I told her earlier that I was 76 years old, had 28 grandchildren, eight kids, and a beautiful wife who loved me, but that didn’t seem to deter her. I terminated the conversation and unfriended her, but I have been thinking about her ever since. What was her need? Why did she want to chat with me? It has puzzled me all day long. I will never know for sure what her motive or need was. I read the whole chain to Patty, and she was puzzled by it as well but was glad that I ended it.

There are so many people in our world who are struggling with loneliness, a feeling of being rejected and unloved, who have no purpose in life and no hope for the future. It is such a sad thing to see and hear. I am one person in a sea of humanity, and there is only so much I can do, and that is getting less and less as I get older. But I can do something, so I will keep my ears and eyes open, looking for those divine appointments God gives me to do my part. If every Christian does that, many people will be helped and come to know Jesus.

I have this tendency to regularly pick up new activities, hobbies, projects, and jobs. As a result, I get overly busy and collect a bunch of stuff I must maintain or fix. One of my last year’s goals was to significantly simplify my life. So far, I haven’t done too well, but I am now making a significant effort toward that goal. The first thing I did was make a list of everything I could give away or sell, which is very long. I put my 1950 Ford Club Coupe with a flathead V8 on Facebook Marketplace last week, and I think I have someone to buy that. I gave my pontoon boat to my son Seth, hauled my 26-foot dory to Alaska, left it, and gave my 10-foot pram away. I now have one boat and one small rubber raft to fish with. I have 30 fishing rods, and I will give all but six away. I have a ton of archery stuff, but I can’t pull my bow back anymore, so I will sell or give away all of it. I have a bunch of clothes that I can’t fit in, and I have been saving for when I get skinny; I am taking it all to the church clothing bank.

It isn’t that I don’t want to do a lot of things; I just want to simplify my life, so I am doing important things. I don’t have much time left in my life, ten years, maybe fifteen, and I certainly don’t have as much energy. I will still fish every chance I get, preach and teach often, and hang out with friends and family. I will probably do one more bicycle trip, hunt for a couple more years, and then retire from them. I even think I will give all my guns away in a couple of years and all my tools on my 80th birthday. I only use five clubs when I golf, so I might as well give the rest away, though no one will want part of a set, so I might as well throw them away😀.

I am starting to feel more energized just by writing this blog; a simple life sounds very attractive.

Several people in my life will not respond to me, no matter how much I try to connect with them. They will not forgive me for something I have done or said to them in the past. I feel awful for hurting or offending them and have tried numerous times and in a variety of ways to reconcile with them, but they will have none of it. Occasionally, I will see or hear from someone who has hurt or offended me in the past. If anything negative pops into my thinking, I immediately pray, “Dear Lord, I am choosing to forgive so and so because You have forgiven me of everything bad I have ever done; please help me to be free of any bitterness toward them.” If possible, I try to talk to them graciously and try to find something I can do that would help or bless them. The consequences from God in our lives for harboring bitterness are severe. Read this passage from Jesus and recognize that “tortures” in our lives are demons, and they will be given freedom to make our lives miserable.

Matthew 18:23-35 For this reason the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his slaves. When he had begun to settle them, one who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him. But since he did not have the means to repay, his lord commanded him to be sold, along with his wife and children and all that he had, and repayment to be made. So the slave fell to the ground and prostrated himself before him, saying, ‘Have patience with me and I will repay you everything.’ And the lord of that slave felt compassion and released him and forgave him the debt. But that slave went out and found one of his fellow slaves who owed him a hundred denarii; and he seized him and began to choke him, saying, ‘Pay back what you owe.’ So his fellow slave fell to the ground and began to plead with him, saying, ‘Have patience with me and I will repay you.’ But he was unwilling and went and threw him in prison until he should pay back what was owed. So when his fellow slaves saw what had happened, they were deeply grieved and came and reported to their lord all that had happened. Then summoning him, his lord *said to him, ‘You wicked slave, I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. Should you not also have had mercy on your fellow slave, in the same way that I had mercy on you?’ And his lord, moved with anger, handed him over to the torturers until he should repay all that was owed him. My heavenly Father will also do the same to you, if each of you does not forgive his brother from your heart.”

I do not like mosquitos. When I get bit by one, I get a big welt that itches like crazy and lasts for days. If there is one misquote in an area, they will bite me even if no one else gets bitten. Did I mention that I hate mosquitos! I carry a bottle of 100% deet in my pocket whenever I am outside, especially in Alaska. I hate mosquitos, and I am convinced that they are little demons. I evidently got bitten by a spider or something bigger than a mosquito a couple of days ago because I have this massive welt on my neck that itches like double crazy. I hate spiders even more than mosquitos.

Look at this passage from the book of Revelation describing the Tribulation period. The fifth trumpet sounds and the bottomless pit opens, and these creatures come out who have stingers on their tails.

Revelation 9:5-6 And they were not permitted to kill anyone, but to torment for five months, and their torment was like the torment of a scorpion when it stings a man. And in those days men will seek death and will not find it; they will long to die, and death flees from them.

This event is a God-caused event or a God-allowed event. Why would He do such a thing or allow such a thing? I think it is God’s last effort to get people to repent and come to Him. Look at what it says about those on the earth at this time who don’t know God.

Revelation 9:20-21 The rest of mankind, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands, so as not to worship demons, and the idols of gold and of silver and of brass and of stone and of wood, which can neither see nor hear nor walk; and they did not repent of their murders nor of their sorceries nor of their immorality nor of their thefts.

There are so many people today that are so resistant to the good news of the gospel. It seems so crazy to me that people can be so blind to the gospel that will give them eternal life in heaven. But it looks like that blindness gets even worse in the days ahead. Crazy!

I will keep praying.

We recently had a family member in Washington die of cancer at 41 years of age; we are going to his Memorial service this next week. This last week, a member of our church family died unexpectedly, and he was 41 years old as well. Another family in our church had their 58-year-old son die unexpectedly a couple of days ago. I have a good friend who owns and operates a mortuary, and he said that the number of people dying has gone up a lot in the last year, and a significant number of those deaths have been people under 45. We could have discussions on why that is happening, but it really doesn’t matter because we all are going to die, 100% of us. We tend to think that dying at 90 years of age is better than 45, but that is true only for the ones who get left behind because the person who died is in heaven, and that is a million times better than staying in this rotten world. I tell the Lord every night that I am ready to come to heaven whenever He is ready to take me; please don’t make me stay in this world too much longer.

I can pray that with confidence and enthusiasm for several reasons;

The first reason is that I believe I have a soul and am eternal. When I die, I will not just turn to dirt, and that is the end. God has put eternity in our hearts; we know that there is something beyond death. Some people who say that they believe that when we die, it is all over are saying that despite knowing in their hearts that it isn’t true because life beyond the grave scares them.

The second reason I am looking forward to dying and wanting it to happen sooner rather than later is because I believe in heaven: God’s home and mine for all eternity. Heaven is a real place that is beautiful, full of great things and great experiences, a place of infinite joy and happiness.

The third reason I ask God every night to take me home is because I know that no one is getting into heaven because they have been good or good enough; people get into heaven because God gives them citizenship there because of their faith and commitment to Jesus Christ. I have believed in the gospel and loved Jesus with all my heart, so I know, without a doubt, that I will live with him for all eternity. He knows me intimately, loves me beyond comprehension and wants me to be with Him forever. He loved me so much that He died on the cross to pay the penalty for my sins; He took my place so that I could live with Him.

I have been thinking about my character flaws and weaknesses a lot lately. I am thinking that I am old enough to have conquered these by now. I am hungering and thirsting for righteousness and holiness in my life. When I journal in the evening, I write a lot about the things in me that need fixing. Every evening, I confess my sins, weaknesses, and character flaws and ask passionately for God’s power and strength to conquer my flesh and the devil and grow to become like Jesus in every area of my life. Verses that I have been memorizing and meditating on.

1 Peter 1:15 but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior.

2 Corinthians 7:1 Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

1 Timothy 6:11 But flee from these things, you man of God, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance and gentleness.

Matthew 5:6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.

Hebrews 6:1 Therefore leaving the elementary teaching about the Christ, let us press on to maturity.

Philippians 3:12-14 Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

2 Corinthians 5:9 Therefore we also have as our ambition, whether at home or absent, to be pleasing to Him.

I remember my first kiss with Patty. We had been dating for several months, and we had already set our wedding date, and I had not yet kissed her. She said that she didn’t want me to kiss her until the big, ugly, cold sore she had on her lip was gone. It was big and ugly and took a long time to heal!! She told me that she would tell me when it was completely healed. We were sitting in the TV room in the “Student Union” building at college, watching “Mission Impossible” in “black and white,” and she passed me a small piece of paper with three little words on it, “It is healed.” I remember that kiss clearly as if it were yesterday; an electric current went through my whole body! I have kissed Patty millions of times since April 3rd, 1969, and I don’t remember most of them; why?

Most of us don’t really remember much in our past because of the vast number of events and experiences we have all had. People have often told me that I have had a lot of fun and exciting experiences. I haven’t had any more than others; I just remember them. I remember them because I have written them down and retold them often. What I write, I reread. What gets reviewed gets remembered. Another great way to remember the past is to look at photographs of past events. That is so much easier now with cell phones than when I was a kid with my big bulky “Brownie Camera,” which cost a fortune to buy and develop the film for. I would keep rolls of film for months before I could afford to have it developed.

I reread my journal entries regularly and go through my picture albums often because I enjoy reliving the past and being reminded that my life has been planned and orchestrated by God.

I think that when we get to heaven we will remember everything in great detail. We will remember it all with perfect insight. I think that we will spend a large part of eternity retelling all of our memories. Even the bad memories won’t seem bad anymore as we are reminded of God’s grace, mercy, provision, guidance, and protection. I also think that I will have a perfect cup of coffee in my hands as I listen to your stories and tell you mine.

I had written earlier that I did not do well in any of my disciplines while gone to Alaska fishing for three weeks. But since I have been home, I have worked really hard to keep all my commitments faithfully. The one I have worked hardest on was my eating goal. I weighed this afternoon and was down to 211 lbs after being up to 220 just ten days ago. Super!! Not much helps my attitude as much as winning, and I love to win against my flesh and the devil. Momentum is a big deal in any accomplishment. When you have momentum, it is much easier to keep it going than it is to start it. It’s sort of like a car car zooming down the freeway in high gear. One of my favorite writers on “Leadership,” John Maxwell, calls it the “Big Mo.” He says everything is easier when you have the “Big Mo” going, but life is like walking in foot-deep mud when you don’t.

I have the “Big Mo” going now in all my disciplines, and I feel motivated. It doesn’t take much to kill “Big Mo,” a major killer is coasting, skipping, taking it easy, and letting up on the gas because things are easier now. If you are driving down the freeway at 70 mph and you take your foot off of the gas because you have cruise control on, you will slow down and eventually stop; because there is no cruise control in “Big Mo’s” car, you have to keep the gas on yourself.

I am well aware of this law of motivation because I am guilty of killing “Big Mo” many times in my life.

Another major killer of motivation in life is not being prepared for the hard times, the slow times, and the hills. When riding a bicycle on a long trip, you recognize that most roads are uphill or downhill; there really isn’t much that is flat. When you are riding downhill, you want to go as fast as you can so the momentum will carry you up part of the hill coming, and when it gets hard, you don’t quit; you grind it out, anticipating the crest where you get to coast and enjoy the thrill of going fast again.

Winning is fun; losing is a bummer.