KJVIFB.com Devotions: Life in the Parkie Lane

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1-29-15 Bi-Polar Christianity

I heard Christians praising God for miracles one day and feeling depressed and abandoned the next. I rolled my eyes at this bi-polar Christianity. But then I realized that I do this at times.

I enjoy revival services and preaching conferences. I have come home from such services all pumped up excited. It felt to me like God had complete control of me. I went up to the altar and prayed during the invitation. At those times, I have confessed my sins to God and vowed to become a better Christian. I was barely able to sleep, I was so excited. Then the next morning arrived. I woke up grumpy and frustrated because I can’t find my phone or glasses. What happened to that revival? Bi-polar Christianity again.

The Apostle Paul – super Christian in my book – struggled with the same thing. He found himself frustrated at his bi-polar Christianity, too. Paul says in Romans chapter seven that his spirituality is found in Jesus, not the flesh. The only way to maintain spiritual equilibrium is allowing Jesus to work through me.

I am encouraged that Paul had the same struggles I do and could tell me his solution. Jesus.

“For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.” Galatians 5:17.

1-28-15 Burn Victims

“Yes, please bring the medical records on ________ to the ER ASAP.” I pulled the requested records and headed up to the Emergency Room, a common occurrence for a medical records clerk.

I walked up the hall and rounded the corner to mayhem. Nurses, aides, doctors, and other health personnel were hurriedly attending to several people. As I walked by the overflow area – gurneys separated by plastic curtains – I glanced in at the people. I noticed a mother with her bright red arms swollen to twice their size, like overcooked brats, yearning to embrace a screaming toddler in the same condition. Touch only made the pain worse. They had been burned badly in a boat that had caught fire.

I see the misery in the mother’s face as she couldn’t comfort her child without making her pain and the child’s pain worse whenever I think of hell. Comfort is not available, no matter how much one may wish it. The Bible warns us of hell. Jesus spoke of it many times. The reason is to warn mankind of hell and also to reveal the way to avoid it. Jesus. The good news is that no one has to be eternal burn victims.

“And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.” Luke 16:23.

1-27-15 Giants in the Land

I have been sick and am taking advantage of a temporary moment of lucidity to write and post this devotional:

When we moved to New Mexico, I noticed stores that we hadn’t seen before. It seems that we don’t have to go far before we see Giant Convenience stores.

One night while on visitation with my assistant pastor, we stopped at a Giant store. “Things are different here,” I mentioned to him as we walked up to the door of a Giant Convenience store.

“How so?” he asked me.

“Well, I noticed that in New Mexico, there are Giants in the land.” I explained.

“Really?” He looked confused. “Like large people?”

“No, think about where we are.” He looked more confused. “We are in a Giant store and there are Giant stores all over. Giants in the land.”

I thought it was funny, but I think he thought I was strange.

The reality there are giants in the land in every location I have ever lived. The giants have been obstacles to overcome. Some are challenges of life, some have been sins, some are health issues, but the point is that with God they can be overcome. They look big, ugly and insurmountable, but God is bigger and He has always helped me deal with them.

“And there we saw the giants, the sons of Anak, which come of the giants: and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight.” Numbers 13:33.

© copyright Kevin T Boekhoff

1-22-15 If It Doesn't Fall Into Your Outstretched Hands...

“If it doesn’t fall into your outstretched hands, you won’t find it.” My wife says that whenever I can’t find something and she knows where it is. She simply asked me to retrieve it for her, but it isn’t where she said it would be. Then she will come over and pick it up. It had to have appeared out of thin air because it wasn’t here an instant ago. Maybe in the future I need to ask God to open my eyes before I look.

I don’t know how many times this has happened, but a preacher will be bringing his message and he will give out something interesting. I’ll say to myself, “I never saw that before” and grab my pen to write down this little jewel in my Bible by the verse. Then I notice that I wrote it down sometime before. I end up beholding a wondrous thing out of the Bible. I wonder when I penned it. I wonder how I could have forgotten such a brilliant point.

Other times I am studying and discover a truth I never noticed before – at least if I did I didn’t write it down. Thus, I am happy and amazed at the wondrous thing I just noticed. It always helps when God is in the study, too. He opens my eyes to things that I missed the last time.

“Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.” Psalm 119:18.

1-20-15 Wounded Warrior

We hear of the Wounded Warrior Project often these days. It is a great program to help those that have been injured or ill while serving in the military. These men have to heal and take a break from life. Some lives will never be the same, yet they deserve our care.

The Apostle Paul call Epaphroditus a fellow soldier. He had travelled to help Paul, but became ill and almost died. He had given his all in the ministry. He grew frustrated and full of heaviness that he couldn’t continue serving God. He had to take time to heal. Paul sent him back to Philippi “more carefully.” In other words, he was a wounded warrior that had to make some changes to preserve his health. It seems he stayed in Philippi, once he returned.

I know in my life, Parkinson’s disease has brought big changes. I no longer pastor a church, but I can serve God in other ways. I also must live my life “more carefully” so that I don’t worsen my health. I know others that have heart trouble, diabetes, and many other chronic health issues. They have had to make changes to live “more carefully.” These changes don’t mean their lives are over, just different. They can’t do what they used to do, or even what they may want to do, but they are still useful to God.

“For indeed he was sick nigh unto death: but God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. I sent him therefore the more carefully, that, when ye see him again, ye may rejoice, and that I may be the less sorrowful.” Philippians 2:27-28.

1-19-15 Nose Blind

I saw a commercial on TV that talked about becoming nose blind to bad odors. To prevent this all I needed to do was use their product every day and my house or car would smell good again. No more concern about nose blindness.

With Parkinson’s I have experienced some nose blindness. I don’t smell as good as I used to. I mean, my nose doesn’t work as well. I don’t notice some aromas at all. This can be good when something stinks, but disappointing when the chocolate chip cookies come out of the oven.

There is an interesting thing noted in the Bible. My life, because I am saved, can be like a pleasant fragrance to God. This is the opposite of saying that my life stinks. What a wonderful thought that God is not nose blind. Christ removed that stench of sin and replaced it with Christ.

“For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish” II Corinthians 2:15.

1-17-15 Mentor/Mentee

I watched a video recently by a well-known ventriloquist (who inspired me) that told of his mentor. Anyway, he had met a man that custom made his first ventriloquist figure just for him. This dummy was also the last that this craftsman made. They formed a friendship that lasted until the craftsman passed away. This craftsman and the ventriloquist had a special relationship.

How exciting to have a mentor! But recently I learned the excitement of being a mentor. How exciting it was to build a puppet for a teenager in my church who wanted to learn ventriloquism! He is excited and is practicing daily to become a Gospel ventriloquist, too. And I pray he becomes a much better Gospel ventriloquist than I have ever been.

I hope that this teenager and I could have that special bond of mentor and mentee. Jesus mentored the disciples and formed a special relationship with them. Paul mentored all those he met on his missionary journeys. In like manner, I am to be a mentor. The scary thought is that I inadvertently mentor people, sometimes in a negative manner. My prayer for today is that I be God’s mentor for others.

“Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.” Philippians 4:9.

1-16-15 What's the Plan?

Like most kids I wondered what the future would bring. I had some ideas. I loved cars and decided to become an auto body repairman. I enjoyed repairing cars, but not a good choice. It may have caused my Parkinson’s. I wonder now what God could have done with my life if I had trusted Him sooner. I would like to have known His plan for my life. He chose to unveil it little by little.

Now, I find it amazing that God can use a nobody like me. He allowed me the privilege to pastor a church and now to write some humorous stuff. Sometimes He even lets me be an encouragement to somebody. He even lets me play with puppets. Yup, God gives people natural abilities to do certain things. Some are great leaders, some wonderful musicians, and some ventriloquists. Before I was even conceived God had a plan for my life, which included writing, speaking, ventriloquism and Parkinson’s disease. He has used each thing for His glory.

God had a plan for Jeremiah before he was even conceived! He set him apart (sanctified) him for a special purpose – to be a prophet. In the same manner, God had a plan for me! Yet, He gave me the choice to accept Jesus as my Savior or walk away. Nevertheless, He had a plan.

“Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.” Jeremiah 1:5.

1-14-15 The Cheerful Chimp

I bought something in a store the other day and received two cents change. I turned to my wife and said, “I have two cents, I would like to give you my two cents…”

Before I could finish she said, “I don’t want it, I don’t want to hear it. Keep your two cents to yourself.”

“But, but, this doesn’t happen often. It may never happen again.”

The clerk found it funny as we bantered back and forth. She could tell by our cheerful countenances that we were having fun.

In a second hand store, I bought a cheerful baby chimp puppet (I am a Gospel ventriloquist). At the checkout counter I set the puppet on her shoulder and had it talk to the clerk. My wife walked out from under the puppet and left me with a puppet hanging oddly from my hand. The clerk enjoyed it and even gave us a discount on our purchases.

I enjoy humor. I always have. I suppose going out in public with me can be an adventure. But, God gave us the ability to laugh and to see humor in life. Why not use it? It’s ok to laugh, its ok. Seriously, it is.

“A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.” Proverbs 15:13.

© copyright Kevin T Boekhoff

PS. Still contemplating a name for her. She is going to have a four year old girl's personality. She needs a ribbon or two, yet. Name suggestions are welcome.

1-13-15 The Stairway to Nowhere

One of the most bizarre places in the world is the Winchester house. Sarah Winchester built this 160 room mansion nonstop. She was attempting to foil evil spirits from bothering her by confusing them. She had carpenters work round the clock building staircases that go nowhere and doors that open to walls.

It amazes me how man, myself included, can build a life on misconceptions, fancies, whims, and opinions based on nothing more than air. Something inside of man likes to work for rewards and recognition. The problem comes in when man tries to transfer this into the area of salvation. Man has devised many different systems of works, but all are as futile as building stairways to nowhere.

God offers man salvation through Jesus Christ by grace (undeserving favor). Man cannot climb the stairway to heaven, God transports us there in His time. I praise God that He provided the way to heaven because He loves me and foiled my efforts of climbing the stairway to nowhere.

“And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.” Romans 11:6.

1-12-15 So What Do You Think?

“I’m offering you a job. You can start tomorrow. Of course, you can no longer work for the competition or where their old uniforms, even in your time off. But remember, I am offering you so much more than what they can do. So, what do you think?”

The guy offering me a job expected me to break all ties with his competition – the place I currently worked for. He wanted me to separate from them and any affiliation with them. He didn’t even want me to wear my old uniforms, even though I paid for them myself. I owned them.

I accepted the new job. I walked away from the security of the old job – and the problems there – for a new job. It was exciting wearing the new uniforms and representing a new auto body repair shop. The former boss seemed rather perturbed when I gave him the news that I was leaving. The new boss welcomed me and kept his word in all respects. I enjoyed working for him.

God expects no less from me. Once I trusted Christ as my Savior, I walked away from my former life for a new one. I left the most dysfunctional family and cruel father (the devil) for the most loving Father imaginable. He let me become part of his family, but only if chose to do so. This invitation is open to everyone. So, what do you think?

“Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.” II Corinthians 6:17-18.

1-10-15 Anxious Apprehension of Adversity!

“Wait until your Father gets home!” my aunt yelled at my cousins and me. I don’t recall what we did, but my cousins said after my uncle got through with them, they would have marks on them. I didn’t know what was going to happen to me. My cousins’ prediction came true for them, but my uncle did not punish me. I knew that he would tell my folks when they came back from vacation in a few days. Their punishment was over, but I experienced the anxious apprehension of adversity when my Dad arrived. I remember watching their arrival from afar, knowing that when they sat down with my aunt and uncle over coffee, my transgressions would be aired.

My uncle did not punish me because I was not His child. God does not punish those that are not saved and adopted into His family. Once God, the Father, adopted me into His family He began taking responsibility, if you will. He now recognizes me as one of His own. He even disciplines me. Thus, if I had never received chastisement from Him, I should rethink my claim that He is my Father. It is not my claim that matters, but His acknowledgment of me.

“If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.” Hebrews 12:7-8.

1-9-15 You're Just Like Your Father

I cringe when my wife says that, because it usually means something negative, like impatience at stop lights or long lines (two or more ahead of me). I suppose I have picked up some of my step-father’s mannerisms, although we think quite differently. After I met my birth father, I realized that I inherited a lot from him; for example, the way I stand with my hands in my front pockets or with arms crossed. I always thought those would be learned mannerisms, but that was not the case. Also, I inherited some of the physical characteristics, too. Exceptionally handsome, for example – oh, and of course and very humble personality.

My birthdad and I went to a store one time and the clerk said, “Man I can sure tell you two are father and son.” He went on to talk about a father/son relationship which we had never had, but we smiled to each other about it.

Although adopted, I was never like my step-father in a lot of ways. However, when I was born into the family of God, I received the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Thus, I have a lot of my heavenly Father within me. My desires have changed. Oh, I still struggle with the sinful side of me, but I’m not what I was or what I am today without Him.

It is interesting that many times we can recognize who a person’s father is IF we know his/her father. But without the father as a reference point, we wouldn’t know there was anything unique about a person. The Bible is speaking of the same idea in this verse. If someone doesn’t know God, they will not recognize Him in our lives. This helps me understand why people can be so critical toward Christians and me personally.

“Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.” I John 3:1.

1-8-15 Daddy!

As a kid, spending time with Dad was special, it didn’t matter whether it was fishing or working on a project around the house. He was more than a father. At those times, he was a friend, advice-giver and teacher, as well as the one who went to work every day to pay the bills. He was my protector. He was a Dad. Most males can “father” a child, but not all of them are dads. A dad is special.

My heavenly father is more than a father figure. He is Abba Father. “Abba” is a term of endearment that children used of their fathers - in our vernacular, “Daddy” or “Poppa.” When God adopted me into His family, I became His son and He became my “Daddy.”

Thus, my heavenly Father wants to spend time with me. He wants to be my friend, advice-giver, and teacher. He supplies my needs, encourages, heals, and protects me as well. He is approachable. He loves me and wants to spend time with me.

“Gal 4:6 And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.”

1-6-15 Wanted

My mother never kept the news from me or my sister that we had been adopted. My birthmother (who I met much later in life) always loved me and prayed for me through the years. My adoptive mother did, too. My adoptive father passed away when I was seven years old. Mom remarried and they raised me and my sister as their own.

When talking about this one day, they told me that adopted kids are wanted. For whatever reason that the birthmother couldn’t raise me, they assured me that they wanted me.

When I got saved, I left the most dysfunctional father (the devil) for the greatest Father ever. He had his Son die on the cross for me to provide the way. He wanted me! He adopted me into His family! I am one of His kids! I rejected Him for years. I did not accept the free gift of salvation and adoption into His family.

Isn’t it great to know that God wants us? He has taken care of all the adoption prerequisites. All we have to do is accept it. We are wanted!

“But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.” Galatians 4:4-5.

1-5-15 All Things in Moderation?

“You can do whatever you want, as long as it’s done in moderation,” a coworker said, defending his position of a Christian drinking, smoking, gambling etc.

“Really?” I countered, “How does that work with adultery?”

“Well, that’s different. That can destroy a marriage.”

“All sin can destroy a marriage. Drinking and gambling for two examples.”

“Not in moderation.”

“All sin can will hurt other people and may cause them to think sin is acceptable because you, a Christian do them. We are actually to stay away from even the appearance of sin. This is why I don’t go into casinos or participate in bets here at work.” This discussion went in circles for as long as I worked with this individual. He still didn’t understand the concept, even when he showed up for work with a self-induced illness (hangover).

The idea here is that I don’t give someone else the impression that I condone sin. Also, if sin appears as a temptation before me, I am not to succumb to it. If I am in doubt, then I can consult the Bible or seek counsel from my pastor. To help me resist temptation I am to hold fast onto that which is good (right). I have discovered that if I am in doubt to leave it out. Usually, I already know the answer. The Holy Spirit convicts me of it.

“Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. Abstain from all appearance of evil.” I Thessalonians 5:21-22.

1-3-15 Flat Tire Christianity

“Hey, your left front tire is almost flat.” I informed a neighbor one day.

“You shouldn’t be judging me like that.”

“I’m just letting you know of some potential danger. It could cause an accident or at least be very inconvenient later today.”

“It’s ok just the way it is.”

Well, it really didn’t happen that way. He thanked me, grumbled a bit and changed his tire. But many people live with “Flat Tire” Christianity. They don’t want to hear something should be changed. When a person says not to judge, they are meaning to disarm a Christian from reproving evil. Its code for “get off my back, leave me alone, I am happy just the way I am.”

I think too many Christians are buying this line. Yes the Bible says it, but the context always reveals that the Christian should do a little introspection before talking with someone. Seriously, we all make judgments and form opinions every day, I know I do. The proper way to form an opinion on spiritual matters is to compare things with scripture and judge accordingly. The Bible says that we can confront the issue if appropriate. We can approach someone about the Lord because of what they are doing. The Bible says we can make a judgment (form an opinion) and talk to someone about it.

No, I am not meaning to just jump on someone and thump on them with the Bible. I mean to confront them with love and compassion. Just as I cared about my neighbor enough to inform him of a dangerous tire, I should care enough to talk to people about their relationship with God. And I should be receptive to reproof when someone confronts me about something in my life, too. It helps me avoid “Flat Tire Christianity.”

“And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.” Ephesians 5:11.

1-2-15 An Imposter

I saw a video on the internet about a parking lot attendant that retired. For 20+ years people depended on a uniformed valet parking lot attendant. Everyone paid a fee for his services and enjoyed talking with him.

One day, he wasn’t there. People complained to the company, but he was not hired by the company. People complained to the city, but he didn’t work for the city. I turned out that no one had hired him. He had simply bought a uniform and began charging people for his services. He did a good job and had built such a great rapport that people were shocked.

He was an imposter. He had pulled off a 20+ year con and is now retired, presumably in a tropical island. God knows Christians that are imposters – those posing as Christians. For example, He knew Judas was an imposter from the very beginning. I think that some believe their own con, but will hear the saddest words in the Bible: “I never knew you.”

The parking lot attendant may have pulled off his con, but nothing gets by God. It’s not whether I know who God is, or think that I do, it’s whether He knows me. He knows His own. His spirit witnesses with my spirit. I don’t have to try to convince myself that I am saved.

I pray that no one is an imposter and has to hear the saddest words in the Bible:

“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” Matthew 7:21-23.

1-1-15 Defeatist Hope

What is it about today that is different? The day is just like any other day. The only difference is how I look at it. Many consider New Year’s Day as a day filled with hope. Hope that this year will be gooder than last year. Hope that the world just might change for the better. Hope that the weatherman will get better at predicting the weather. Hope that health would be better. The list goes on…

Well, one can always hope. Did I really say that? That is defeatist hope. There isn’t any hope in that sentence, other than the word itself. It’s not far from, “one can always pray.” When I think about it, I am expressing sarcasm.

“Wow, you are such a ray of sunshine this morning, Kevin! Where is your hope?” I am glad you asked. My hope is not in circumstances. My hope is in Jesus. Not the possible-maybe-might-happen kind of hope, but the kind stemming from faith. Thus, it is a confidence that the future is in God’s hands and no matter what happens, He will see me through. It is anticipation on how God will use me this coming year. It is getting my eyes off my circumstances, tossing aside my sarcasm, and trusting in Him. Hey, if I can trust Him with my eternity, I can trust Him with my life.

Have a Happy and Blessed New Year!

“Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the LORD his God” Psalm 146:5.

12-30-14 My Most Memorable New Year's Eve

“All the relatives are going to stay at my place New Year’s Eve because all the computers are going to crash and there will be no power. We have a wood burner and have stocked up food for the last few months” a church member told me. “Do you want to come over, too?”

“No, I believe my God is bigger than Y2K. Besides with time zones, we will know it is happening on the other side of the globe long before it happens here.” They still met together, absolutely sure that the world as we know it would end and we would be thrown back 200 years. We would have to use oil lambs for light, wood for heat, horses for travel and no microwaves!

It looks so silly in retrospect. There are teenagers that never experienced the collective panic of Y2K. They would be so proud of their parents because nothing happened that night. Everything went on as before. Alarmists everywhere scrambled to save face.

There is something to be said about being prepared for the future. The Bible does say that the world will end and that no man will know when that will be. The way to prepare is not to stock up on weapons, food and water in order to survive, but to trust Christ as Savior and have your eternal destination settled. Plus, there day-to-day blessing of having Jesus accompany those that have gotten saved. No need to panic. No need to fear another Y2K.

“But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.” Mark 13:32.