Posted in Life

Over nine hundred manatees at Blue Springs today!

Posted on by William Douthwaite

As we pulled up to the ranger station at Blue Springs State Park in Orange City, Florida, a sign announced the presence of 900+ manatees! After two straight nights of atypical twenty-degree overnight weather, more of the big aquatic mammals had swam into the 72-degree waters than I had ever seen before.

We visit these springs once a year, hoping to see a few manatees up close. A few of them drift out of the sun-warmed waters up to the observation boardwalk so we can get a few good pictures. The place is crawling with children who are excited to see these protected creatures, but soon get bored because manatees really don’t do much. They slowly drift by, occasionally snacking on some plants. They don’t jump out of the water like dolphins or snarf down skinned rats like the big crocodiles. They just hang out. Young people quickly realize that when you’ve seen one, you’ve seen them all.

There’s so much to see besides the manatees. The waters are teeming with fish. Aquatic birds perch on logs, soaking up the sun. Spanish moss adorns every oak tree. Kayakers paddle up close to the floating mammals.

The gift shop does a brisk business. The shelves were packed with stuffed manatees of every size. I wonder how many stuffed manatees the park sells each day? A thousand? Everyone leaving the shop had at least one in hand.

Even though it was unseasonably cold, many children pestered their parents for slushies and Dipping Dots from the snack bar. Brrr. I’m glad we brought a thermos of hot chocolate with us!

Posted in Through the Bible Devotions

What does faith look like?

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Kyle Loftus on Unsplash

Some “through the bible” thoughts from Hebrews 10 and 11.

So what does faith look like?

I guess there as many answers as there are answer-ers. For some, faith looks like going to church. For others, it’s traveling far from home on a mission trip. Memorizing bible verses? Praying before meals? Wearing a cross necklace? Being nice. Honest. dependable. Perhaps all of the above.

But perhaps more. In Hebrews 11, faith means looking forward to everything God promised, trusting him, and doing what he says. It means not looking back, but always towards what will be.

Why do that? Because he who promised is faithful (10:23). That’s why faith looks like confidence (10:19), full assurance (10:22), and no wavering (10:23). It’s absolute certainty in God’s mercy and grace that is ours in Christ.

Posted in Life

A little piano music

Posted on by William Douthwaite

I was delighted to hear piano music as I settled into a rocking chair in the arrivals area of the Jacksonville, Florida airport. The volunteer was talented, equipped with a big stack of piano music.

As I slipped a few dollars in her tip jar I asked, “Do you take requests?”

She smiled and said, “If I know it.”

I don’t know why it came to mind, but I said, “Satin Doll.”

She smiled, nodded, and said, “I’ll play that next.”

She must have pulled out her Nat King Cole book, because she followed up with “Autumn Leaves,” “Tenderly,” “At Last,” “The Girl from Ipanema,” “Stardust,” and “Saint Louis Blues.”

It had been a long time since I enjoyed some piano bar music. It was relaxing to play a little “Name That Tune” as she began each melody. She made the wait time speed by. What a great service to offer travelers and their families.

Posted in Life

Together again

Posted on by William Douthwaite

Winter weather had delayed every flight. A young man with a bouquet of pink roses nervously wandered through the empty airport arrival area. A piano played classic jazz tunes as we relaxed in rocking chairs. Some folks read. Others dozed. A robot vacuumed the floors.

The large card in his hand read, “For the love of my life.” He stared down one hallway, and then the next. In between, he checked the arrivals board. Laying the roses down, he made a quick trip to the restroom. With an eye on his phone, he waited for a text.

Suddenly he stuffed his phone in to his pocket and stood next to a pillar. Rounding the corner, she stopped, their eyes met, and they embraced. Finally, they were together again. Or was this the first time they had met in person? No matter, it was a wonderful encounter.

Airports are filled with tearful goodbyes and passionate reunions. Excited travelers begin adventures. Weary travelers return home. It’s so interesting to be part of these moments.

Posted in Through the Bible Devotions

Sometimes he displays his grace through you

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Simon Ray on Unsplash

Some “through the bible” thoughts from Titus 2 and 3.

“For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age” (Titus 2:11,12).

“Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people” (Titus 3:1,2).

From some past bible class, I wrote two things in the margins of Titus in my bible: “The gospel must prove itself in the public square” and “Churches are agents of transformation in culture.”

Does the gospel make a difference? We know it does. It changes everything. Our justification by grace through faith in Christ covers our past with forgiveness and assures us of eternal life in the future.

But what about today? Does the gospel make a difference today?

A little kindness makes a big difference. It doesn’t just make life more pleasant. It makes grace real.

Grace isn’t just an idea. It has a pulse. It’s breathing. It’s a person. It’s Jesus. It’s his people. It’s me.

Have you ever been surprised when grace shows up in your life? Like that time when you didn’t quarrel with someone? Or when you responded gently to a comment someone made that you didn’t necessarily agree with? What about that time when you treated someone with kindness?

It happens every once in a while, doesn’t it? God displays his grace through you.

Posted in Life

“Have you seen my suitcase?”

Posted on by William Douthwaite

There’s a lot to notice in this picture I took on an evening walk with the big dog. Besides the inside of a car door, a truck full of blue metal, and a vintage mail box, I spied a suitcase underneath the SUV.

So I have a question. Will they remember the suitcase when it’s time to go to work tomorrow morning? I’ll bet they don’t. I’ll bet they back out and wonder, “What’s the scraping noise?” as they drag it down the street.

Or even before that, someone rushing to the airport will ask, “Hey, have you seen my suitcase?”

Maybe it was a joke. “Let’s slide his suitcase under the car. He’ll never look for it there.”

It could have happened by accident. The bag may have rolled down the driveway, tipped over and slid under the car. Not likely.

Tried to pack too much stuff? That’s one way to flatten it out so you can zip it shut.

Perhaps they didn’t see it when they pulled in last night. Someone just drove right over the dark suitcase on a dark night.

If the authorities are searching your house, they won’t find anything if you slid your luggage under the SUV in the driveway. Although if noticed it, I’m sure law enforcement would, too.

Or maybe they were testing the sturdiness of this suitcase. Just like the ape that threw luggage around in the old American Tourister commercial.

Next time around the block, I’ll look to see if it’s still there, out in the yard, or even down the street.

Posted in Through the Bible Devotions

Level ground

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Lidia Nikole on Unsplash

A few “through the bible” thoughts from Philemon.

When Paul sends Philemon back to Onesimus, it is “no longer as a bondservant but more than a bondservant, as a beloved brother – especially to me, but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord” (Philemon 16).

In the margin of my bible I had written, “The ground is level before the cross.” Faith in Christ not only changes our relationship with God, but also with other people. None is better or worse than another. We’re all in desperate need of grace. We all have a Savior who brings that grace to us, no matter who we are or who we used to be.

This is a totally different worldview, isn’t it? We constantly compare ourselves with others, looking up to some, condemning others. We don’t even know them. Not really.

One song lyric described Jesus as one who looked down on us, but never looked down on us. The former is situational. He is on the throne, ruling over all. The latter is relational. He doesn’t condemn us, but does everything he possibly can to save us.

Wouldn’t it be something if we all shared his perspective?

Posted in Through the Bible Devotions

Plenty of contentment

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Holly Mandarich on Unsplash

Some “through the bible” thoughts from 1 Timothy 6.

“If we have food and clothing, with these we will be content” (1 Timothy 6:8).

When I read those words, my first thought is, “Yeah, right. Who does that?” Who’s content with life’s basic needs? No one I know.

What about a house? Utilities? A bed, a dresser, a lamp, and a table and chairs for the dining room? Pots and pans, dishes and cups, and utensils for the kitchen? Appliances? Curtains for the windows? Cleaning supplies? Transportation to and from your job? Glasses? A watch?

From there it’s a small step to a cell phone, wi-fi, various insurances (which someone demands you have), a termite bond, a backpack, trashcan, lightbulbs, a coffee maker, and a microwave.

I don’t think any of that is excessive. In my world, those things are required. Well, almost.

But even with all that, contentment is elusive. Everyone – yes, everyone – is working hard to steal my contentment and sell me something. From door-to-door folks to ads that accompany my Google searches, hard working sales people hawk so many things I never knew I needed! Everything I own can be upgraded to something better. Shelf lives are short, so everything must be replaced often. Who has time to be content?

Maybe Paul was writing about himself and his traveling companions. On their missionary journeys, they didn’t have to worry about homes and vehicles and everything associated with them. Indeed, all they needed was some clothing, some food, and a place to stay for the night. It’s like living out of a backpack, working odd jobs, and depending on the hospitality of others for a place to stay.

So, in this example, the less I have (just a backpack) – or see others have – the more content I am. That’s not intuitive. But it’s worth pondering.

Posted in Through the Bible Devotions

Itching ears

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Tom Spross on Unsplash

Some “through the bible” thoughts from 2 Timothy 4.

“For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths” (2 Timothy 4:3-4).

God knew about the algorithm a long time ago.

The more time I spend on social media and shopping online, the more the internet knows about me. It will quickly and efficiently begin to show me more of what I’ve read about and shopped for. A machine will become my teacher who suits my own passions, feeds my aspirations, and sells me things I never knew I needed. My news sources will reflect my bias. When I am repeatedly told what I want to hear, truth no longer matters.

God is not surprised by any of this. He simply charges his ministers to “preach the word” (2 Timothy 4:2). God’s word reveals that he is biased. It declares that he alone is God. There is no other. He alone can save. No one else can. He alone is all-powerful, holy, loving, righteous, all-knowing, and good. Yes, God is biased. But his word is also truth.

God is also biased because he loves us more than anything. We’re the apple of his eye, his treasured possession, and his dearly loved children. All that is not just what we want to hear. It is the truth.