Keys to the Kingdom
By Carolyn Tucker

Stay in Sync

Have you ever watched a movie where the sound was not in sync with the actor’s lips? That drives me nuts! Or have you ever ridden at night with someone who didn’t use their headlights on high beam? That drives me bonkers and scares me all at the same time. One of the important rules I learned in driver’s ed was to not overdrive your headlights. If you’re driving faster than the distance your headlights allow you to see clearly, you’re overdriving your headlights; so you might not have enough time to react to that unexpected deer crossing the highway. If your speed and headlights are not in sync with each other, you may find yourself calling 911 and your friendly insurance agent.

When Christ followers run into a patch of spiritual fog, we need to slow down and get in sync with God. We don’t want to overdrive our life and speed past God as He waves a yellow flag at us. He knows the perfect lane of life that we’re supposed to travel upon. Whether we’re two steps ahead, or two steps behind, our goal should be to match God’s speed. When we’re in sync with Him, the peace of God quiets our minds and rests our hearts. We can put our hand in His and feel safe like a little child. God knows the way out of the fog and we can wholeheartedly trust Him to work on our behalf. “The Lord my God holds my right hand; He is the Lord, Who says to me, Fear not; I will help you!” (Isaiah 41:13).

In this new year, it’s good to be excited about new beginnings. However, believers need to be careful that we don’t go off half-cocked! We need to avoid the mistake of not praying about a new venture simply because of our enthusiasm. It’s vital to pause and ask God what He thinks about it. “I am one of God’s sheep and His sheep hear His voice” (John 10:27). He’s faithful to give us either a green light or a red light.

Christ followers shouldn’t give in to the temptation of arrogantly thinking we’re smart enough to run our lives by ourselves. Life will see to it that we don’t have what it takes to drive solo. “Pride lands me flat on my face, but humility prepares me for honor” (Proverbs 29:23 MSG).

When we’re presented with a new opportunity or need to make an important decision, many times a friend will say, “Sleep on it and see how you feel in the morning.” This is excellent advice because when we’re asleep, our minds are peaceful, clear, and at rest from thinking. Right before you fall asleep, you can ask God to give you the answer you need. “When I am deficient in wisdom, I ask of the giving God [Who gives] to everyone liberally and ungrudgingly, without reproaching or faultfinding, and it will be given to me” (James 1:5 AMP). It’s possible that when you awaken in the night, God will reveal the answer to you because your mind is at rest and ready to hear.

As believers read God’s Word, listen for His voice and obey, we are better able to stay in sync with Him. He is faithful to keep His promises and we can trust in His plan and purpose for our lives. Even when we’re in the dark, our heavenly Father knows every bend and hill on our journey.

The Key: Stay in sync with God and you’ll never overdrive your life.

Loose Lips Sink Ships

Let’s face it.  We love to be heard, to have others want to listen to what we have to share.  The spotlight on us, all ears attentive.  And even though we have been entrusted with a “secret” that no one else knows, even though we have been told not to share, we can’t help it.  Well, we can…but we don’t.  After all, we have the spotlight.  We can be heard.

There are a few places in Scripture where an individual is told to keep silent but doesn’t.  Not a big deal…except of course, it is.  This morning, while reading in the gospel of Mark, I read that a leper begged Jesus to heal him.  Jesus, “moved with compassion,” cleansed the outcast.  In 1:43, Jesus “strictly” warns the leper not to tell anyone.  He is to go to the priest and follow the protocol for a healed leper.  And. Not. Talk.

I get why the healed man couldn’t keep his mouth shut.  I mean, it’s not like people aren’t going to see the difference.  One day, you’re covered in sores.  The next, you’ve just been given the $7000 HD Diamond and Ruby Peel facial.  (Think baby’s skin.)  When people ask, the leper can’t pretend that he doesn’t notice that he no longer has sores covering his body.  He has to be ecstatic, for he has been given a new life.

Did Jesus really expect him to lie about the miraculous healing and act like he had no idea how his body had changed?  Couldn’t he just tell his BFF or his family?  And trust them to keep his secret?

Uh, nope.  This quote proves it: “If you want to keep a secret, tell no one.”  Get that?  Not even your pinky-promise friend because your gut is churning to share something that nobody else knows.

Have you ever noticed how all attention turns towards you when you start a conversation with this: “You wouldn’t believe what I just heard!”  Does anyone speak to your sin and respond with, “If this is something negative about someone, I don’t want to hear it,” or “Is this something we need to know?” or “Are you positive that what you are sharing is the truth and needs to be told?”  Probably not.  More than likely, all ears turn your direction, eager to hear the juicy gossip you are ever-so-willing to divulge.                                                                                                                                                                Why are we so eager to share?  According to Behavioral Scientist Jessica Salerno’s research in “Morality, Punishment, and Revealing Other People’s Secrets,” …people keep their own immoral secrets to avoid being punished but are motivated to reveal others’ secrets to punish them for immoral acts.” Hypocrisy at its finest!

Scripture refers to our tongues as “a restless evil.”  Get that?  Our tongues are sins on steroids! John Gotti once said this: “Don’t ever say anything you don’t want played back to you someday.”  Smart advice.

“Loose lips sink ships” is a slogan coined in World War II by the War Advertising Council and was part of a larger propaganda campaign warning that careless talk might be overheard by enemy spies and could undermine the war effort. The imagery stirred guilt by implying that openly discussing sensitive matters could have disastrous consequences.

The next time we consider loosing our lips to share some information with which we have been entrusted not to share, perhaps the psalmist’s prayer should be our own: “Set a guard over my mouth, Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips” (Psalm 141:3).

Keys to the Kingdom

By Carolyn Tucker

Determined Woolly Worm

My son Aaron and wife Emily decided to build a workshop on their property. So the day came to pour the 32×36’ cement floor. Although I didn’t do any hard labor like the rest of the family-and-friends crew, I was given charge of the eating department. Therefore, I  had the opportunity to observe what was happening outside. I was very impressed with everyone’s positive attitude and teamwork. Nevertheless, I was even more impressed with a lone woolly worm. Just after the cement was poured, one of the guys spotted him on the wet cement and tossed him over the side. A bit later, I was looking at the still-wet floor and saw the woolly worm inching his way across the wet cement again! He was struggling and I felt sorry for him, knowing he would soon have so much cement on his feet and furry body that he would clog his cogs and die. Much to my surprise, he never gave up or waved a tiny white flag. He was very determined and just kept making small strides of progress until he made it to the other side and became free.

Against all odds, the little guy made it! God uses everything at His disposal to inspire and encourage a believer’s life. In this new year, let’s be determined to stay strong, keep moving in harmony with God’s direction, and one day cross the finish line.

All types of people are watching the everyday lives of Christ followers. A few may be impressed with us, some may be against us, and some may think we’re nuts. But, against all odds, we’re to press on with joy and confidence that God is for us. “If God is for us, who can ever be against us?” (Romans 8:31 NLT). I appreciate the wording from The Message,  “With God on our side like this, how can we lose? Several years ago I heard a church speaker interpret this verse as, “If God is for us, who cares who’s against us?” I like that perspective for sure.

I was astonished with the determined attitude of the little woolly worm, and this scripture should encourage all believers to keep moving straight toward the finish line: “When I am pressed on every side by troubles, I am not crushed and broken. When I am perplexed because I don’t know why things happen as they do, I don’t give up and quit” (2 Corinthians 4:8 TLB).

I don’t know what goes on in the mind of a woolly worm, maybe he had no thoughts. But in case he did, maybe he was thinking like humans often think. “This is just too hard. I’m all alone. No one cares about my dilemma. I can’t handle this any more — I’m just going to give up.” If we’re tempted to think along these lines, let’s remember this scripture: “I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me [I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who infuses inner strength into me; I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency] (Philippians 4:13 AMP).

With a clean slate of a new year ahead of us, let’s approach every morning with a made-up mind that we can do whatever we need to do. “I am rooted, established, strong, immovable, and determined” (1 Peter 5:9).

 The Key: Be determined not to give up and quit, because God is on your side in 2026.

Stu Webber, a pastor and author, writes of his experience in the U.S. Army Ranger School at Fort Benning, Georgia in 1967.  Young men were exhausted, trying to survive the heat, humidity and painful rigors of camp, knowing that their final destination, Vietnam, was a very real possibility.

Webber writes of the day the raspy voice of the drill sergeant barked out his first, passionate speech. “We are here to save your lives,” he told the young men headed for combat. “First, we’re going to see to it that you overcome all your natural fears. … And second, we are going to show you just how much incredible stress the human mind and body can endure. And when we’re finished with you, you will be the U.S. Army’s best! America’s best. You will be confident. You will survive, even in combat. And you will accomplish your mission!”

The sergeant gave Webber and his fellow recruits their first assignment. These guys were ready for anything. They had prepared for a 10-mile run in full battle gear. They’d already envisioned rappelling down a sheer cliff. So, what would be the tough guy’s first tough order?

“Find yourself a Ranger buddy,” he growled. “You will stick together. You will never leave each other. You will encourage each other, and, as necessary, you will carry each other.” As brusque as the sergeant was, he realized that tough tasks require a friend.

In the Introduction to Education class I am teaching this year, I have invited a myriad of individuals to speak to my students.  Few are classroom teachers.  Most are individuals who, like teachers, make a difference in the lives of others.  Katie, a federal parole officer, addressed my students a few weeks ago.  Not only does she work with felons, she also has joined forces with my son’s anti-sex-trafficking foundation to teach recovered women how to turn their lives around.

Ahead of time, the students prepare questions for the guest speaker, but they struggled with this assignment…until Katie shared her mission of making a difference.  When Trent asked if she believes there is hope for everyone, no matter how evil they are, Katie did not hesitate.

“Absolutely!” she answered.  “I believe that there is good in everyone.  Sometimes, it’s just a little harder to find it.” She continued, sharing that as a Christian, she believes that God creates everyone with a purpose.

I’ve thought of Katie’s comment and wondered how many potential “friends” I failed to “find the good in.”  People with irritating or unkind or “unforgiveable” traits.  How much of my time has been devoted to encouraging them to be less irritating or less unkind or less unforgiveable?  Granted, I’m not going to find myself in a fox-hole with that person, and my life may never depend on them, but as a Christian, aren’t I called to invest in their lives?  To see the good in them as opposed to dwelling on the bad?

Jesus did that.  He chose twelve, but only one stayed near him at his crucifixion, and that was John, the apostle who later wrote about one of the others, Thomas. Thomas deserted Jesus and the other disciples and was not present when Jesus appeared to them after his resurrection.  When the disciples told Thomas they had seen Jesus, he said that he would not believe until he could see the nail prints on Jesus’ hands and put his finger in Jesus’ side.  Eight days later, Jesus gave Thomas that opportunity.

Except for loyal John, Jesus could have ousted all his “close friends” who ran for the hills as he hung, dying on the cross, but Scripture gives no indication that happened.  If Jesus could see good in those who failed him so miserably, what’s my excuse?

Keys to the Kingdom By Carolyn Tucker
Tap into the Prince of Peace

It’s interesting that after 2,000 years, Americans are still paying taxes and celebrating the birth of Christ in the same month. These two combined expenses may cause some people to tap into their savings account. When we tap into something, we then have access to resources and can establish a connection to make a “withdrawal” for whatever we need. I will often tap into my family and friends for information and opinions on situations that I know they have personal experience. It’s important and wise that we take
advantage of the benefits that have been made available to us.

God sent Jesus into the world to demonstrate His love, provide the perfect and only sacrifice for sin, and establish a new and better covenant with mankind. Isaiah prophesied in the Old Testament: “For a child will be born for us, a Son will be given to us, and the government will be on His shoulders. He will be named Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6 CSB).

The night when Jesus was born, the angel told the lowly shepherds to go and find the Babe. Born in a stable, the Prince of Peace was accessible to the public but nobody showed up but the shepherds. That Baby in the manger was a gift of truest love straight from the heavenly Father. Jesus grew up, increased in wisdom and stature, redeemed sinners, and fulfilled His mission as the Savior of the world. The Son of God continues to be available for all who will tap into Him for salvation and receive the abundant life.

Having spent 33 years in the everyday life of a world of broken people and systems, Jesus knew the importance of a deep peace that could only come from Him. “I [Jesus] have told you all this so that you may have peace in Me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world” (John 16:33 NLT). Believers have been made more than conquerors through the blood of Jesus.

Sometimes people are looking for peace in all the wrong places. But when we find Jesus we find the Prince of Peace. “May the Lord Himself, who is our source of peace, give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with you all” (2 Thessalonians 3:16 GNT). When the bottom falls out of our world, we can rely on the Lord’s peace to get us through it.

“Let the peace of Christ keep you in tune with each other, in step with each other. None of this going off and doing your own thing. And cultivate thankfulness” (Colossians 3:15 MSG). “Never underestimate the power of a seed of peace: the power of a kind word, a seed of apology, a phone call, an explanation” (Max
Lucado). The most important gifts are usually the ones that cost our pride. Perhaps you should consider offering the gift of peace to a broken relationship this Christmas. Mending fences isn’t easy, but it’s worth the humbling effort in order to have peace in your heart, mind, and soul.

As children of our heavenly Father, we oftentimes live beneath our privileges. Everything we need to handle life is found in Christ. Believers need to tap into Jesus for all He’s worth! We can experience a lasting peace that surpasses understanding through our relationship with Jesus. As our Savior and Lord, we have access to His divine peace every day.

The Key: Believers need to tap into the Prince of Peace; He never runs out of His Name.

Someone had the nerve to send out an email about all the healthy food choices we might adopt for Christmas…and continue to use in 2026.  I get the 2026 part, but I’m sorry, “healthy” and “Christmas” don’t mix.  They are opposites.  Oxymorons.  Black and white.  Fun and boring.   Delicious and disgusting.

On what planet is this writer living?  Everyone knows that we indulge at Christmas so that we can set New Year’s goals to exercise and lose weight. What else is New Year’s for?

I don’t know about you, but every December, I prep for a holiday smorgasbord.  Egg nogg.  Fudge.  More fudge.   Decorated cookies.  Peppermint sticks.  Cranberry bread.  Calorie-laden appetizers.

That’s Christmas.  None of this “Keto” pies or sugarless sugar cookies or diet dips with 40%-less-salt potato chips, celery sticks or gluten-free, dairy-free, meat-free…well, anything.

On another note.  I think there should be a law against people who take teensy portions, like a tablespoon of this and a teaspoon of that, and then leave half of it on their plates.  For some reason, I always seem to sit by that individual at family get-togethers. She is the slim, trim, tight-bodied individual who tries really hard not to comment on my mound of mashed potatoes, piled high on top of the 15-course rations I have hiding underneath the gravy.  I love her for that.

Still, in her defense, it must be taxing to hang with an undisciplined person.  You know the type.  She watches you go back for seconds when she has stuck to her 100-calorie limit…basically, two lettuce greens and a sliver of carrot from the carrot cake.  And when, after dining, she invites the attendees to go on a hike to burn off that fat and you are still feasting, determined not to waste a crumb from your plate, she says nothing.  That’s a good friend.  Correction: that’s a great friend.

I worked hard last year to lose 17 pounds.  My clothes fit better.  I had more energy, and my knees did not throb when I walked downstairs.  Unfortunately, while celebrating my weight loss, I ate out of excitement for what I had accomplished.  You know what happened. Almost  overnight, those 17 (plus a few of their friends) decided to move in with me.

I am blessed to be married to a man who does not harp on how different I look compared to when we first married.  Oh, occasionally he questions if I made a mistake when I buy an XL top, but he laughs when I tell him that it was mismarked…which is why it was on sale. Sometimes he questions how the actresses of the ‘50’s had such tiny waists (seriously, like 18”), but I remind him that they never had children, and if they did, their kids were not eight-pounders like ours were.

Someone told me that there will be feasting in Heaven.  That gets me excited…until I read Revelation 22:2, describing the food we will be eating: “… On either side of the river stood a tree of life, bearing twelve kinds of fruit and yielding a fresh crop for each month…”  Fruit?  Fruit?  Where are French fries and cheeseburgers and cheesecake?

Of course, when Jesus returned to earth after his resurrection, he ate with his disciples.  This makes me smile.  Then again, I’m sure that no matter what we eat, it won’t matter, for we will be in the presence of God.  That is enough to satisfy any cravings we could ever have.

FROM THE BLEACHERS

BY DR. JACK WELCH

The Mind Sets Direction, the Heart Drives Follow-Through

Leadership always begins in the mind. The mind gives us the ability to think, envision, analyze, and set direction. It’s where ideas are born and goals are identified. Leadership is never proven by ideas alone. Leadership is revealed in follow-through, and follow-through comes from the heart.

Every leader has good thoughts. Many have strong opinions. Some even have impressive plans. Yet not every leader finishes. The difference between those who talk about leadership and those who live it is commitment. The heart provides the courage, determination, and discipline required to move from intention to execution.

The late, iconic Notre Dame coach Lou Holtz captured this truth with remarkable clarity. He often said that to get things accomplished, a person must: Have a goal or vision, develop a plan to accomplish it, demonstrate the follow-through to get it done.

Holtz summarized it simply: Do It, Do It Right, Do It Right Now. That sequence is leadership in action. The mind may tell us what needs to be done. The plan explains how to do it. But without heart-level commitment, both the thought and the plan will sit on the shelf collecting dust.

Leadership stalls when vision lacks resolve. A goal without a plan is wishful thinking. A plan without commitment is wasted effort. A thought without the determination to follow through is simply a wasted thought.

The truth is this: People don’t fail because they lack ideas, they fail because they lack follow-through. Follow-through requires discipline when enthusiasm fades, courage when resistance appears, and perseverance when results don’t come quickly. That kind of resolve does not come from the mind alone; it comes from the heart.

Effective leaders work the plan because they believe in it. They stay the course because they are committed to the outcome, not just the conversation. They finish because finishing matters.

From the bleachers, leadership often looks simple. On the field, it demands something deeper. Strong leaders think clearly, plan intentionally, and commit fully. They don’t just do it, they do it right, and they do it right now.

In leadership, direction comes from the mind, but execution is driven by the heart.

Thought for the week, “Leadership turns ideas into impact only when the heart is committed to follow through and finish what the mind begins.” John Hill, winningest head baseball coach in history at Fort Scott Community College.

 Dr. Jack Welch serves as President of Fort Scott Community College. With a career spanning professional sports, public education, and rural community development, he brings a servant-leader mindset and a passion for building trust-driven cultures that empower people to thrive in the classroom, on the field, and in life. He is also the author of Foundations of Coaching: The Total Coaching Manual.

Keys to the Kingdom
By Carolyn Hayward Tucker
A Light Sleeper

When a woman has her first baby, her sleeping routine immediately changes because her ears are attuned to the newborn’s cry. Yes, the mother sleeps but her ears do not. I became a light sleeper from the time my babies were born until many years later. Listening and acting upon the newborn’s faintest cry is imperative for a child’s healthy psyche. A deep bond of love is established during these tender, early years.

If believers want to mature in the Lord properly and be spiritually strong, we must attune our ears and hearts to listen for God’s still, small voice. Personally, I believe He’s speaking every day, but if we’re
afraid to be quiet and put life on mute for a few minutes, we simply can’t hear Him above the roar of our culture. Everything God says to us is important, even if you think it’s not. For example, God may be
impressing upon you to reach out to someone but you procrastinate and never get around to it.

If you ever hope to do big things for God, then you have to start by being obedient in the little things. And what you might consider little, the person you neglected could possibly consider it big. For example, someone feeling sad and lonely could be greatly encouraged by a phone call if only you’d take the time to
do it!

Some believers have the mistaken idea that when God speaks to us it will be grandiose, earth-shattering, and loud. Scripture indicates that’s not usually God’s style. Let’s refer to when God spoke to the prophet Elijah: “’Go out and stand before Me on the mountain,’ the Lord told him. And as Elijah stood there, the Lord passed by, and a mighty windstorm hit the mountain. It was such a terrible blast that the rocks were torn loose, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake there was a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire there was the sound of a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and
went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And a voice said, ‘What are you doing here, Elijah?’” (I Kings 19:11-13 NLT).

God already knew what Elijah was doing, but He asked the question just to get Elijah to think straight. The following anonymous quote is from an old “Way of Faith” publication: “The reason that many of us
do not know and better understand God is we do not give heed to His gentle checks, His delicate restraints and constraints. His is a still, small voice. A still voice can hardly be heard. It must be felt as a steady, gentle pressure upon the heart and mind like the touch of a morning zephyr to your face. A small voice, quietly, almost timidly spoken in your heart, but if heeded growing noiselessly clearer to your inner ear. His voice is for the ear of love, and love is intent upon hearing even faintest whispers. He is love, and if you would know Him and His voice, we must give constant ear to His gentle touches. Simply listen, obey and trust God even when it seems highest folly to do so.”

The Key: Be a light sleeper toward God’s still, small voice. And then act upon it to form a strong and loving relationship with Him.