Keys to the Kingdom By Carolyn Tucker

Bad Coffee

When I was in high school, I worked in the kitchen at the Holliday Restaurant in Stockton. The owner would often ask me if I’d like a cup of coffee. I’d thank him and respond, “I don’t drink coffee.” This same conversation occurred over and over and over. Finally, one day Vaughn told me, “Well, whenever you decide to drink coffee, learn to drink it black.” I stored that in the back of my mind and eventually began to drink coffee. (After all, I couldn’t convince anyone that I belonged to the Montgomery/Jennings family if I didn’t drink coffee!) Later, through the years, I switched to drinking coffee with “num-nums” in it. That’s hillbilly for the following ingredients: heavy whipping cream and pure maple syrup, or homemade chocolate satin sauce. I simply flipped around Vaughn’s advice because, if the coffee is bad, I can fix it with yummy additives.

I have a coffee mug that has “Life is too Short for Bad Coffee” imprinted on it. We can take that quote and run 100 miles with it. For example, “Life is too short for bad company, bad living, bad attitudes, and bad breath.” And I would take it a step further and add that life is too short to consume rice cakes, unsweetened tea, chicken gizzards, and raw fish. Those things are just not right!

Life is certainly too short to spend it foolishly. God’s Word reminds us of the brevity of our lives. Moses penned a prayer in Psalm 90:5,6,12 NLT: “You [God] sweep people away like dreams that disappear. They are like grass that springs up in the morning. In the morning it blooms and flourishes, but by evening it is dry and withered. Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom.” We don’t want to spin the tires of our life going nowhere.

“You [God] turn people back to dust, saying, ‘Return to dust, you mortals!’ For You, a thousand years are as a passing day” (Psalm 90:3-4 NLT). God’s timetable and ours is not the same and it’s difficult to wrap our heads around that fact. It’s a fact that life is quickly passing by and we truly don’t have time to waste. We should treat each day as a precious treasure. We shouldn’t procrastinate on achieving the God-given dreams and goals we have for our lives. I grew up with the motto, “Don’t put off ‘til tomorrow what you can do today.” Whoever said that first was a wise person. (I think it was my mom.)

Now is the time to move forward and do what you need to do, whatever that is for you. In regard to eternity, every day we should be preparing to die. There’s no guarantee of tomorrow, so all we really have is today. Apostle Paul gave wise advice, “Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:3 NKJV). We should not dismiss the opportunity that today affords. Pick up the phone and make that apology, write the letter, forgive, pay back what you borrowed 12 years ago, read the book, write the book, etc. Life is a beautiful experience but it’s surprisingly brief. Time waits for no one.

There is an urgency for doing the right thing now – today. We all have a window of opportunity and we don’t know when that window will close forever. Life is too short for unforgiveness, jealousy, hatred, bickering, disunity, and complaining. As long as we’re breathing, it’s not too late to do the right thing. Ready or not, the aging process will catch up with you and you better have your “house in order” (2 Kings 20:1). Don’t just talk about the things you want/need to do – do ‘em now. Now is the time.

The Key: Aging isn’t a choice like black coffee or coffee with num-nums. However, where you spend eternity is a choice: smoking or nonsmoking.

“The amount of good things in your life depends on your ability to notice them.” Anonymous

In the theater classes I teach, we are working on a new Improvisational Acting activity. The students line up across the front of the room, and starting with Student #1, he/she starts a sentence with “Fortunately.” “Fortunately, I passed Calculus.” “Fortunately, I just bought my first car.” “Fortunately, I’m not grounded this week.” Whatever comes to mind.

Then the next student starts a sentence with “Unfortunately” and must choose a sentence that counters whatever Student #1 has said. “Unfortunately, passing that one test did not bring my grade to passing.” “Unfortunately, the engine caught fire the first day I drove it.” “Unfortunately, I’m only ungrounded to babysit my little brother and sister.”

Student #3 must add to the story, this time with a “Fortunately.” On it goes until we go through the line a couple of times.

There are two reasons I chose this activity: (1) It teaches students Improvisational skills like keeping dialogue going and thinking on their feet, and (2) They are forced to consider both sides, especially the positive one (which seems more difficult for them).

This started when I began noticing far too much negative thinking as my students answered a Roll Call question. Last Tuesday was a perfect example. “What is the best thing about living in America?” was the question (a far different one from the usual, “What’s your favorite dessert?”). Most students couldn’t think of anything, and those who did, answered with, “Well, it certainly isn’t the government” or “Maybe chocolate?” or “Absolutely nothing.”

I took a few seconds to respond. “Nothing? I’m confused. You are sitting in a desk, getting an education paid for by other people. Did any of you sleep in a cardboard box in an alleyway last night? None of you are starving, and if you are, you know where to find snacks in my desk drawer. Clearly, you all have clothes on. You girls will be allowed to drive and get a job, choose your own husband and speak your mind. You all can protest peacefully if you want something changed, and you say, “Absolutely nothing?”

No one responded.

Since Covid, there has been an increasing sense of hopelessness and negativity. Even my students who attend a weekly church group exhibit a pessimism I did not see when I taught 13 years ago. I have to remind them to say “thank you” when I hand them a pencil or a brownie, and if I don’t, I wait for one of them to thank me and then announce to the whole class, “Thank you, “Roni,” for saying thank you.

In the Old Testament, we read that Jeremiah, the “weeping prophet,” watched as his nation, Israel, deteriorated. They were captured, the city of Jerusalem was destroyed, and he felt hopeless. Sometimes, I feel like weeping over the state of our country, and especially the mess we are handing off to our children and grandchildren. I remind myself that God has a plan. In spite of our sinful nature, He offers us a way out. And do we deserve it?

Absolutely not. If there is anything we need to notice, that truth alone should negate our pessimism.

Keys to the Kingdom By Carolyn Tucker

What’d You Say?

My oldest granddaughter is in sixth grade and loves to read. She’s developed a mature vocabulary, but I occasionally say some hillbilly words that throws her for a loop.  One evening, my family was visiting in the living room and, I don’t remember what we were talking about, Lydia Mae joined in and said, “Instead of staring off into the vast obese”… and that’s when her dad and I burst out laughing. We knew she meant to say “abyss,” but we took advantage of the opportunity to laugh like we meant it. Obviously, both the younger and older generations have verbal malfunctions occasionally. And that makes me feel better about myself when I grope for a word.

Our words are important and so are God’s words. The Bible is chock full of promises to His children. In the Old Testament, Isaiah prophesied that Jesus would be born to save His people from their sins and an angel reiterated that same prophecy to Joseph. “Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and they will call Him Immanuel, which means ‘God is with us’” (Matthew 1:23 NLT). In the next chapter we read that what God said came true – Jesus was born in Bethlehem.

I love the following anonymous quote: “God is everywhere we have ever been and everywhere we will ever go.” Isn’t that comforting? No matter what our circumstances are, God never leaves His followers. In the New Testament, Jesus was speaking to His disciples and said, “…Be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20 NLT). Jesus is always with His children, guiding and protecting us through all of life’s challenges. We all know that life isn’t always a rose garden.

An atheist had scribbled a note that read, “God is nowhere.” When a young boy, just learning to read found the note, he read it as, “God is now here.” I wholeheartedly agree that ‘God is with us.’ All we have to do is open our eyes and heart to see God’s fingerprints and footprints all over our lives. God is involved in everything that does and doesn’t happen to us. He is all-seeing, all-knowing, all-caring, and all-loving. Nothing escapes His view of our lives. “The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right; His ears are open to their cries for help. The Lord hears His people when they call to Him for help. He rescues them from all their troubles” (Psalm 34:15,18 NLT).

God’s Word never falters, fails, or changes. Christ followers can always trust Him to be with us and help us. God knows exactly what He has said in His Word, and we’d be better off if we actually knew what He said! Whatever Jesus said when He walked the earth, He’s still saying it to us today. “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever” (Hebrews 13:8 NLT). Not personally knowing and believing what God’s promises are is like going hunting with an unloaded rifle. You’re simply going through the motions of being a great hunter (Christian) but when it’s time to pull the trigger, you don’t have what it takes to get the job done.

When we know and believe God’s promises are true for us, Christ followers have what it takes to “get ‘er done.” In the Old Testament, God said: “Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand” (Isaiah 41:10 NLT).

The Key: God never uses wrong words. He says what He means and means what He says.

Scripture tells me not to be angry. But I am. It’s spring break, Dave and I spent two days driving to Nevada (the state) to visit our grandkids and great grandkids, and I have spent much of my day, trying to contact Walmart here in Henderson, Nevada, to ask what time tomorrow I am to bring my vehicle in to have my tires checked. Twelve calls with no response. For the first five or six, I was fine. But now? I am upset.

This morning, I pulled up to the Automotive area at Walmart. Three bays were empty, and four employees were standing/sitting, doing nothing. A female employee turned me over to a male employee who announced that it was his time for a break. “Not until you service this woman,” she responded. Although pleasant, the young man was not happy. He checked my tires and said that nothing was wrong, but when I told him that one tire continues to go flat, he said that I would need to set up an appointment.

“What about now?” I asked (since there were no other vehicles being serviced). He said that they were full (i.e., it was time for his break) but set up an appointment tomorrow. He would send me the time via text. Which he did not do.

Twelve calls later (“Dial two for the automotive department”) to find out what time I am supposed to show up, my frustration is increasing. No one answers the phone, and when I call Walmart’s customer service representative, she tells me that there is nothing she can do except forward my call to the auto service area…the same area I have called twelve (now 13) times. I tell her that and she gives me a choice: “Either I forward your call, or I hang up.”

Each call to the automotive department is answered by a robot who says that they are “experiencing unusually high volumes of calls at this moment.” This does not happen in Fort Scott. There, someone answers the phone. I am used to Fort Scott. Am I asking too much?

As much as I hate to admit it, I need an attitude check. I find it much easier to say “If only…” “If only Walmart could get its act together.” “If only that customer service agent wasn’t so abrasive and actually showed a little compassion” (you know, what I did not show her).

For all I know, she was trying to keep food on her table for her five kids after her husband left her for another woman. Maybe she was working two jobs to help pay the medical bills for her ailing father. Possibly she had been yelled at by ten other customers, trying to contact the automotive department. Did I show her compassion? Tell her that I would pray for her? Even ask if she was okay?

We all know the answer to that. Actually, had I told her that I was a Christian, she probably would have started laughing. I demonstrated none of the qualities (fruits of the spirit) we are told to exhibit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Galations 5:22-23 NIV).

Yesterday evening, I received the text with the time of my appointment. By then, I had decided to go elsewhere for my service and tried to text back to cancel. A large “X” appeared on my screen. Under it were these words: “Sorry…We’re having technical issues, but we’ll be back in a flash. Try again.”

This time, I had to laugh. Clearly an improvement. I think that Jesus would be proud.

Keys to the Kingdom

By Carolyn Tucker

Catching Lightning Bugs

I fondly remember the fun I had as a young girl after the summer sunsets. With my older brother or a childhood friend, I would run barefoot all over the yard catching lightning bugs. As they blinked their pretty golden tail lights, I’d carefully place them into the fruit jar. Dad would, of course, punch holes in the lid so they could breathe. I wouldn’t trade my simple, country, growing-up years for a ranch in Texas!

I don’t know if God created lightning bugs just so kids could have summer fun or not. But I’m sure glad He did. I recently saw a coffee mug with the following imprinted on it: “If God can make a bug’s butt light up, just think what He can do for you.” I thought this was hilarious, plus it was a pretty good theology too!

Sometimes Christ followers settle for dry crumbs out of the toaster instead of a loaf of  hot bread out of the oven. Apostle Paul’s prayer for spiritual growth in believers is a vital tool in order for us to believe and receive. We, too, can say this prayer: “I pray that from His glorious, unlimited resources He will empower you with inner strength through His Spirit. Then Christ will make His home in your hearts as you trust in Him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong” (Ephesians 3:16-17 NLT). God is not limited in what He can do, but we sometimes limit Him with our little faith.

Paul continues his prayer: “And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep His love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God” (Ephesians 3:18-19 NLT). The fullness of life and power that believers desire and require is not found in self-help books or autobiographies of famous dead people. The abundant life only comes from God through Christ Jesus.

This is a life-changing prayer — and Paul isn’t finished yet: “Now all glory to God, who is able, through His mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think (Ephesians 3:20 NLT). Amazingly, God’s power is working in His followers to accomplish above and beyond anything we can even imagine. God has unlimited resources, but we need to pray and tap into all that’s available to us as His children. God can do everything Himself, but He chooses to work through His followers. We need big faith that’s rooted in God’s love if we want to “let our little light shine” in real time.

In His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus taught: “You are the light that shines for the world to see. You should be a light for other people. Live so that they will see the good things you do and praise your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:14,16 ERV). A little later, He then rhetorically asked the crowd, “So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin…will He [God] not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?” (Matthew 6:28,30 NKJV). We ought to thank God every day that He has given believers unlimited resources to help us live victoriously.

The Key: Consider the lightning bug and just think what God can do for you!

A foolproof way to find out if you are a true, authentic friend is if you are thrilled when others have success.  No matter what happens to you.  No matter if they got the promotion you wanted, they got the book deal you prayed for, they were healed and you were not, they have perfect kids and yours spend more time in detention than in the classroom. No matter what!

This, of course, works both ways.  You will know if your friends are authentic if they celebrate your accomplishments when they themselves are struggling.  I have some friends who meet that description, but I wonder if I don’t have “a little” work to do in this area.

In Genesis 4, we read that Adam and Eve had two sons, Cain and Abel.  Now Abel kept flocks, and Cain worked the soil.  In the course of time Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the Lord.  And Abel also brought an offering—fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. The Lord looked with favor on Abel and his offering, but on Cain and his offering he did not look with favor. So Cain was very angry, and his face was downcast. 

Many of my Christian author friends admit they struggle with envy when they cannot manage to carve out time to write their second or third book, yet their fellow authors post about their 40^th book going to print or how a respected publishing company has offered them a huge endorsement. We (yes, I fall into that category) understand Cain’s frustration.

Frustrations over God’s generosity towards others aren’t a new concept. In fact, the idea that we are entitled to God’s blessings coupled with our irritation over God’s generosity to others is at the heart of the first recorded murder in Scripture. Big brother Cain is one unhappy camper when little bro Abel got the “atta boy” from God and he didn’t.

God does not comfort Cain.  He lets him know that if he does what’s right, he also will experience God’s favor.  Cain has a choice.  He can accept God’s sovereignty—even though he might not agree with it—or he can allow his jealousy and pride to rob him of what little peace he has.  We all know which he chose, ultimately ending with him murdering Abel.

Granted, no one I know—including me—has ever murdered because another author’s book received more accolades.  God does not suffer from limited generosity.  He blesses as He sees fit, meaning He blesses me in different ways than He does my friends.  Who am I to think that I deserve a blessing He has not given me?  God is limitless in His ability to love, show grace and mercy, and bless.  I should do likewise.

So, if you find yourself disappointed when others are the benefactors of something that you had hoped for, maybe even prayed for, God understands your feelings.  Nevertheless, like Cain, we have a choice to trust in God’s decisions to bless others (and be happy for them), or we can allow sin to take root and be consumed with a bitter heart.

I know which kind of friend I want to be.

Keys to the Kingdom

By Carolyn Tucker

Embarrassingly Honest

I had purchased an item at a department/grocery store and needed to return it. I slipped it into the original bag with the receipt, as required. When I entered the store, I headed toward the friendly greeter. As I approached he asked, “Do you have a return?” I said, “Yes.” I was hoping he would just place the sticker on the bag and send me on my way. But no, he opened the bag and asked, “What have we here?” I answered, “Well, it’s a bra and it won’t fit you either.” When I’m backed into a corner with no way out, I usually respond with humor because it helps with the embarrassment of being bluntly honest.

When the truth of God’s Word or the conviction of the Holy Spirit backs me into a corner,  there’s only one way to move forward – repent. And this is no laughing matter because prayer is serious business. When Christ followers realize we’ve sinned, the only option is to admit the sin, ask for forgiveness, and pray for grace to not do “it” again. Thankfully, we have hope when we fail to please God: “…if we confess our sins to Him, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness” (1 John 1:9 NLT).

Believers have to be embarrassingly honest when we confess our sin to God. Beating around the bush just doesn’t cut the mustard. God already knows what we’ve done, so it’s for our own good and spiritual progress to make a truthfully-blunt confession out loud to God. I appreciate the following scripture penned by John the beloved apostle: “My dear children, I am writing this to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate who pleads our case before the Father, He is Jesus Christ, the One who is truly righteous. He Himself is the sacrifice that atones for our sins – and not only our sins but the sins of all the world” (1 John 2:1-2 NLT).

John’s letter was inspired of God to bring truth and hope to our hearts and to keep us from evil. Christ followers should be thankful that we have Jesus as our advocate to plead our case before God. When a stumbling Christian asks for forgiveness, Lawyer Jesus never loses a case – He wins every time. God isn’t looking for believers with perfect outward performances, He’s looking for those with perfect hearts. “For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward Him” (2 Chronicles 16:9 KJV).

A perfect heart is one that wants to please God, and one that is grieved over personal sin when it occurs. Other identifiers of a perfect heart include a desire for inner purity, alignment with God’s will, complete loyalty to God, and a lifelong commitment to seek God wholeheartedly. And, in the deepest part of our heart, it’s important to know without a doubt that God is patiently waiting to forgive and will restore all who are truly sorry and genuinely repent. Having a perfect heart doesn’t mean believers will flawlessly follow Christ. But it does mean we’ll commit to loving Him with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength.

“…let’s approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace for help at the time of our need” (Hebrews 4:16 NASB). Sometimes our greatest need is God’s forgiveness.

The Key: You can’t pull the wool over God’s eyes, so you might as well be embarrassingly honest with Him.