The Parable of the Duct Tape

Posted from Pinson, AL-

I attended a funeral for a good friend today. He was one of my Chili Cook-off Buddies and I am going to miss him. But I didn't stop in to tell you about someone you really don't know. I did stop in to tell you about the lessons my friend is still teaching from Heaven's shore.




Wade, Brad, Ragan, Betty and Chef Clayton - 2007 Alabama Wildlife Federation Wild Game Cook-off State Champs





Ragan's pastor, Brother David Awtrey, of First Baptist Church Pinson told us of Ragan's Duct Tape Bible. He supplied the following Parable of the Duct Tape. (Pastor, I will try to do your message justice here because it is extremely relevant and highly noteworthy).

When something is broken, the first thing that usually comes to mind (at least my redneck mind) to repair it is duct tape. Duct tape fixes everything! I recall a local morning show character, Earl Pitts, from years ago citing duct tape and a coat hanger to fix everything from a broken tv antenna to the radiator in your car. Even the NASCAR crews use duct tape to repair fenders on wrecked race cars. I mean they go to great expense to create these super fast machines yet they trust simple duct tape to hold it all together after a crash. Jesus is like the duct tape. When we are broken and beat up He can fix us. Patching us up like the duct tape on a race car, Jesus can heal the hurt, He can mend a broken heart and He can restore our sinful lives to glory through His ultimate sacrifice on the cross.

Duct tape is also quite hard to tear. Duct tape is very durable, I mean look at those race cars. When they've been damaged the sheet metal flops around and threatens to fall off at every bump. But, once the crew starts carefully placing it on the ruptured sheet metal, the car becomes sturdy again. When we read God's Word daily, He will make us so that we don't tear so easily when the trials come. And when we have Jesus in our lives He binds us with His love and makes us sturdy again so we can weather the storm.

Lastly, Duct tape sticks to just about everything. Jesus is this way with us; He sticks by us through the storm. He never lets go of us. He told us He would never leave us nor forsake us. If we stick with Jesus, He will guide us in every aspect of our lives. He will hold on to us through the storms of life. When the wind blows and the waves threaten to sink us, He will calm the storm. We need to put our trust in Christ and stick by Him just as He sticks by us.

I will never look at another piece of duct tape the same. In fact I need a good bookmark since my last one is quite worn. Seems to me a small piece of duct tape should do the trick and last me a good long time. Not only will it serve to mark my place as I study my Bible but it will remind me of a dear friend and the fun we had at work and at play. So long, until we meet on that Beautiful Shore, Ragan! I am proud to have known you and thanks for being my friend!

Psalm 34:8

God's Time

It has been a while since I have posted. For a while I thought there really wasn't much to write about. But on further reflection I realized there was perhaps too much to write about. Today is different. Today there is really only one thing on my mind.

One year ago today, my dad went home to be with the Lord. I have been wondering how I would feel on this particular day. A few days ago I was reading a blog by Dr. Joe McKeever entitled Before You Leave Us. It talked of things that Dr. Joe wanted his parents to know. I commented on that blog as an encouragement to Brother Joe but the next day I received an email from him. He was concerned that he had made me feel bad about not saying some of those things to my dad. I have never met Brother Joe but this one little email showed me that he truly cares about people. So if you get the chance, read his writings. That blog caused me to think of the conversations dad and I had in the weeks and even just a few days before he became too sick to talk. We discussed his salvation and mine and how ready we were to meet the Lord Jesus. We talked of good times we had together, things he wished he had made better decisions on and how he wished we could go fishing.

I wasn't always the best son but I know this, my dad knew how much I loved him. I often got frustrated when going at night to help him to bed as it took time away from my family but I believe God knew what he was doing when he gave me those times to spend with my dad. There were even times while dad was in ICU on a ventilator that God used to allow me to tell dad things I needed to say. Those were pretty good times because dad couldn't argue with me or talk back, all he could do was nod his acknowledgment of what I had told him and mouth the words I Love You.

So how do I feel about today? I thought I would be sad; I even expected a few tears. I definitely miss my daddy greatly and there are things I would love to be able to sit and talk to him about. I have spent much of Saturday and today contemplating why, as I think of not having my dad here, I don't really feel sad or empty. It is often said that "time heals all wounds" but I am not sure that is true. Maybe for physical wounds but I believe the only thing that can heal the loss of a loved one is "God's Time".

You see, me and my dad were close all my life. There were ups and there were downs along the way. As I got older and had my own family, I did not spend as much time with my dad or my mom for that matter. God knew he would be taking dad home soon and He provided opportunities for me to spend time with my dad. I think the one time I cherish the most is having been able to watch and Alabama game with dad in the hospital just a few weeks before he died. Now that was quality time! That was "God's Time"! I firmly believe that God has kept the sadness and hurt out of my life because there is no reason for me to fret over a loved one that is spending their time in Heaven. I know one day Dad and I will be sitting on the banks of the Jordan talking with Jesus and reeling in tons of Crappie for a Heavenly fish fry. That will definitely be "God's Time"!

Brad


Technorati Tags: Sadness, Time, Loss, Family, Hurt

R-E-S-P-E-C-T

FOXNews.com - Reid: Someone Tell Bush the War in Iraq is Lost - Politics | Republican Party | Democratic Party | Political Spectrum: "'I know I was the odd guy out yesterday at the White House, but I at least told him what he needs to hear. … I told George Bush what he needs to hear, not what he wants to hear, I did that and my conscience is great,' said Reid, who was one of several lawmakers who met with the president on Wednesday at the White House. Reid added that more people need to tell Bush the same."

Aretha Franklin had a point in her 1967 song, RESPECT. She sings "All I'm askin' is for a little respect......".

In the FoxNews excerpt above, it appears to me that even our Congressmen and women have no respect for others. Sen. Harry Reid, D-NV explains that he told "George Bush" what he needs to hear. President Bush has earned a level of respect, even if not by his person. I believe very strongly in the fact that the office of the President of the United States, regardless of who holds that office, demands respect. Senator Reid, your political grandstanding is ridiculous. You are trying to garner respect by making a stand and I commend you for that. However, to get respect you need to give respect. If you want to call the President by his first name in private circles or even in his presence, fine. But you should always refer to the holder of the office as President publicly.

We should all show respect to others whether they are the President of the United States or the janitor at the local high school. R-E-S-P-E-C-T, what does it mean to you?


Respectfully Yours,
Brad Walker