–Luke 3:5 (NKJV)
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A person has to be selective.  I pondered before heading out on my last trip which hat I should wear.  I normally would have settled for my black high crown Stetson, Tom Mix style, but somehow it didn’t seem appropriate.  Since I was going to Colorado, I thought of my hand-made low crown hat.  It was made for me by Art Henderson of Weather Hat Shop back in 1974.  I don’t wear it much since the style doesn’t fit me.  It’s low crown, similar to that worn by Hugh O’Brian in the Wyatt Earp television series.  I finally settled for my go-to hat.  One that has seen many camps.  The one I wear when I go hunting, or fishing, or camping; it has fanned many a fire into existence.
       It made me think of an Ed Bruce song:

               “It’s seen day fade to night in an open sky
               Beneath the fury of the heavens
               Kept the rain out of my eyes
               Yet, somehow don’t look as weathered as I
               Hmm, this old hat.

               This old hat’s been down some dusty trails
               And may not look as good as it did new
               The crown is stained, the brim is torn
               It’s even been walked on a time or two.”

I must say I picked the right hat.  Ten or so people commented on it.  One said that it had a “weathered” look, another said that it had “character.”  I even had a worker in a gift shop offer to buy it, and that’s not the first time that has happened.  There was a man who took a picture of me on the Georgetown Loop Railroad, not me actually, but my hat.
       Old-time cowboys would dress from their hats down to their boots.  First thing upon waking up is to put on their hat.  See, that hat is part of them.  It tells a story of their life.  Oh, there is a time to wear a new one to some shindig, but for practical wear, the everyday working of life looks at a man’s hat.  
       There is a lot of truth if one takes the time to look at the hat and then the person.  Feathers in the hat versus a brown rim caused by sweat.  I really like what I read on Denny Karchner’s page on Facebook.

               “They say a man is known by his hat.  It represents his lifestyle, his passion and his legacy.  We know this is true because it all started with a Crown of Thorns.”

For sure much could be say regarding the “hat” that adorned the brow of Jesus and comparing it to His character.  A man of sorrows, He wore the crown of mockery in humility. All power was His, but He kept Himself under perfect control.  And friend, there is coming a day when I’ll be able to lay my Stetson aside, put my camping hat back on the bedpost for I’ll be able to utter the words of Paul, “Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.” (2 Timothy 4:8, NKJV)

                    –Robert Peecher  (The Glorieta Grudge)

       “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
                    –Romans 15:23(NKJV)
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Peace–not really a strange word, but often greatly misunderstood.  People clamor for peace, but do not understand that true peace only comes from God.  Jesus, when He was in the boat sleeping in the midst of the storm, had peace.  His disciples were torn within themselves thinking they were going to die.  E.F. Harrison states that peace is, “freedom from strife whether external or internal, or security from outward enemies as well as calm of heart.”
       As Christians, God’s children, we are promised peace.  Peace in the midst of the storms of life.  Peace when the battles are raging.  Peace when there is suffering and sorrow.  This peace comes from God.

               “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” –Philippians 4:7, NKJV
               “Peace I leave with you.  My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you.  Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” –John 14:27, NKJV
               “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”  –Romans 5:1, NKJV)

When we are born again, when we become Christians we are now at peace with God.  This is the greatest peace.  We are no longer His enemy.  Donald Gee wrote, “conversion means the laying down of the arms of rebellion and warfare with God, but there is often quite a time before the whole being comes under the influence of His peace.”  See, peace is supernatural and a part of the Fruit of the Spirit, and therefore, it must grow.  It takes time.  Yes, we have peace with God, but we often find turmoil within ourselves.
       There is a fierce battle raging and it is in the mind.  If we find we are not at peace most likely it is because of our thoughts, what we are focusing on.  “The interests of the flesh mean death, but the interests of the Spirit mean life and peace.” (Romans 8:6, Moffat).  We read in Isaiah, “You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.” (26:3, NKJV)  “Interests”, “stayed” are some key words.  Where is our heart?  If it is not at peace most likely it is not stayed upon God and has turned its focus upon the things of earth.  “If we let our minds become filled with worldly things we must not be surprised if we lose the peace of God.” (Donald Gee)
       God and His Word are the keys.  The verse in Philippians 4:7, uses the term “guard”.  God’s peace will guard our hearts and minds.  Possibly a better term might be “garrison.”  God’s peace will be like a garrison of soldiers around you bringing peace to your heart and mind.  We must come to love the Word of God in a practical way.  “Great peace have those who love Your law, and nothing causes them to stumble.” (Psalm 119:165, NKJV)  To understand and love the Word of the Lord is to have peace that will keep us from tripping up and being swayed by the world.

                    “God’s abiding peace is in my soul today,
                    Yes, I feel it now, yes, I feel it now;
                    He has taken all my doubts and fears away,
                    Tho’ I cannot tell you how.

                    It is mine, mine, blessed be His name!
                    He has given peace, perfect peace to me;
                    It is mine, mine, blessed be His name!
                    Mine for all eternity!”
                          –Elisha A. Hoffman

                    –Proverbs 16:31 (NLT)

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Back in the saddle again, or perhaps I should say back behind the desk.  The fall equinox was last week, and I was somewhere on the road so I will take the time now to look at Fall.  It has been my favorite season of the year.  The World Series, hunting season, and the beginnings of the great holidays all take place in the Fall.

This morning I want to share with you some things I read while on my trip.  The headings are from a writing by Alicia Searl.

       There is a great promise found in Genesis 8:22, “While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, winter and summer, and day and night shall not cease’ (NKJV).  As we enter the Fall season we can see this truth.  Fall reminds us that seasons change.  “The earth is groaning, and life is slowly decaying.”  This is seen all around us and Fall brings it to our attention.  However, never forget–God controls and changes the earth’s seasons–He does the same in our lives.  Once I could run all day, I could venture up in the high country, the altitude not bothering me.  Now, in the autumn of my life, I don’t move as quickly nor am I quite as agile as I once was.  My mobility is on the lam.  Fall reminds us that nothing remains forever.  Everything changes; the world is in constant change, but God never changes!

       Fall reminds us of the harvest season.  “And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.” (Galatians 5:9, NKJV)  Work has been hard, training and experience has taught us many lessons.  We have been careful in our labor, the harvest is near, it comes in the Fall.  To have a good harvest there must be care and nurturing in the growing and planting seasons of life.  Thanksgiving is a great reminder of the harvest; it is a time of blessing, and a time of thankfulness.

       Paul writes in Romans 15:13, “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (NKJV)   Often in the fall of the year with the holidays grief can reappear.  Some get depressed and distressed when thinking of others in the past or events of the past.  Instead of gloom we should smile at the good times we had, and more importantly look forward, holding on to the promises of God for the future.

       “Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good!  For His mercy endures forever” (Psalm 118:1, NKJV).  The season of Fall invites us to count our blessings.  Make it a routine to daily count your blessings, but during this special season take time to really do so.  Look at what the Lord has done!  I think of my recent trip with all the miles and wonder at the hand of the Lord in His protection, guidance, and care for us.  I looked around as we traveled, thanking Him for the wonderful country, the plains, the mountains, the forests and the canyons.  He has given us bountiful blessings, reflect on them!  

       Finally, Fall helps us hold on to an eternal perspective.  Paul tells us to, “Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.” (3:2, NKJV)  Yes, we are wonderfully blessed here on earth, but it is nothing compared with what is to come.  “If we really lived with an eternal perspective our lives would change.”  I have heard it said over the years that a person can be so heavenly minded that he is no earthly good.  But take notice:  it is only when a person is truly heavenly minded that he is earthly good.  We need to set our eyes on things above, not what is here in this life.  Holding on to this life will only bog us down.  We must be kingdom-minded.  We must see the mission we were given, and remember that in the autumn of our lives the main mission will not change, the means, methods, and mode might however.  As our body changes like the seasons, let us grasp on to the eternal hope in Jesus Christ.