What does God hate? 

Proverbs 6
16 There are six things that the Lord hates,
seven that are an abomination to him:
17 haughty eyes, a lying tongue,
and hands that shed innocent blood,
18 a heart that devises wicked plans,
feet that make haste to run to evil,
19 a false witness who breathes out lies,
and one who sows discord among brothers.

How I understand the 7 things God hates.

1.  Eyes that are scornfully and condescendingly proud 2.  Tongues that lie 3.  Hands that shed innocent blood 4.  Hearts that devise wicked plans 5.  Feet that are quick to run to evil 6.  Anyone who breathes out lies 7.  Anyone who plants strife and contention putting people at odds with each other. The list is an equal opportunity action filter that catches- all kinds of people.  If you cleaned it out you might find a terrorist, a mother, the "haves" and the "have not's", a man, a boy, a woman, a girl, a section head, a CEO, a teacher, a rock star, a builder, a plumber, a homeless person, a Muslim, a deacon, a preacher, a politician, an Atheist.  You might find yourself.  I DID. I found myself on that list doing the some of the 7 things that God says he hates.  What I also found was God's grace and forgiveness.  Definitely undeserved, yet offered to me like warm coat on a frigid day.  Jesus, God's only son, paid the penalty for everyone caught in that filter. Again I hear Bob Bennett singing "Hand of Kindness",  Forgiveness comes in just a moment, sometimes the consequences last. It's hard to walk inside that mercy when the present is so tied with the past. God help walk inside your mercy, please forgive me for doing anything that hate and I plead for mercy and grace for those impacted by my actions and words. I pray for everyone, that each sees themselves and their actions and words then comes to for forgiveness, grace and mercy. God heal, hold, help and save those innocents and those suffering the lies, the discord, the evil plans being schemed.  Only you can save us.  Holy, Loving, Almighty God, save us.

Well, I will try this again.  Safe now that I know no one else reads this little section of "1's and 0's"!  God.......
Almighty God........
Eternal Father........

All I ever needed was you!  The song by Lenny Leblanc, "Whatever It Takes" you have used today to reboot my heart.

Whatever it takes, whatever it breaks to lead me back to you
Whatever it takes, that's what I pray so lead me back to you
Whatever it takes, Whatever it takes

Every road I travel down just leads me longing for more
and your the only one I've found willing to fight this war

So Whatever it takes, whatever it breaks to lead me back to you
Whatever it takes, that's what I pray so lead me back to you
Whatever it takes, Whatever it takes
 
When all I ever had was you you were all i needed
So if my heart has been untrue help me to find my way home

Whatever it takes, whatever it breaks to lead me back to you
Whatever it takes, that's what I pray so lead me back to you
Whatever it takes to break me into cause i just want to be with you

Whatever it takes, whatever it breaks to lead me back to you
Whatever it takes, that's what I pray so lead me back to you
Whatever it takes, whatever it breaks to lead me back to you
Whatever it takes that's what I pray so lead me back to you
Whatever it takes, Whatever it takes
Whatever it takes, Whatever it brakes

I am looking at 54 and seeing that I am far far away from where I thought I would be spiritually, physically, relationally and emotionally.  How did it get so easy to set my life adrift?  To let go of the dreams and goals I had and just settle?  I have to stop looking outside for the answers. 

I wrote a song a few years ago and the words of the chorus state .... Can you really forgive my sin ... is it really washed away like its never been ... Can you really see inside me and still love me.

It almost seems too far to travel to get back where I want to be.   I am looking at the name of my blog.  It says .. A long obedience in the same direction.  This comes from a book I read from Eugene Peterson and still sticks in my mind. 

We are all on a journey and it will take a long obedience to God in the same direction to arrive where He wants us to be and in the shape He'd like us to be in when we get there!

Keith,  stop getting off track.  Stop choosing to derail yourself. Stop choosing your ways over His ways.  Trust Him!  Accept His forgiveness.  Listen to the voice that is inside and sync up with it.  Obey it.  Hear it!

The Day after my Father's Funeral

Yesterday, October 16th, was my father's funeral.  I have blogged about my dad many times before.  He was quite an influence in my life.  Tulsa had had several days of gloomy wet Oklahoma weather, but yesterday the sky cleared, the cool October winds blew through and left a crisp, clean air that had just a little bite.  The sun provide both a warmth and a light that unvailed the changing leaves on the trees.  It was not unlike the many boyhood mornings that I remember getting up early with my father and brother for a hunting or fishing trip.  As I drove up Yale with my wife and 2 girls to the Hoggatt gravesite, I remembered the what seemed like hundereds of trips up and downYale with my father driving a 1950 Dodge Meadowbrook, 1957 Buick Century, 1963 Cheverolet and every other car he owned while I was on this rock. 

These are quotes from my Father as he waited for his train bound for glory in October of 2009 and some of my thoughts and memories from that time.  I love you dad!

All my kids here and one's a waiting......

I waiting to die.....

I am old enough to do what I want.....

My Dad says, "Have you seen Katy?
   We reply, "No, have you?"
In a quivering voice he said, "Yes!"


I asked him what she was doing. 
He said, "Enjoying. Waiting,"

He prayed for us..."Oh, Lord, bless my family."

Dad said, "Hold my hand."  Mom sang "Take My Hand Precious Lord."

I sang "Give Me Jesus" and read some of the Psalms.

Over and over he told us that he loves us.

Tender moment with my sister and dad.  "He put his finger on his lips and said, "I want to kiss you."  So I came close and he kissed me on the cheek and I kissed him on the forehead.

Lori called ...
Grace and Hannah called ....


Dad called out,  "Where am I?"

Dad is stuck - He wants to go.  He is trying to go.  He keeps apologizing for imposing.  All reply its OK.  We love you.

The words I am hearing over and over are I love you!  Sweet is the truth that comes out at these moments.  Raw!  Unmasked! Almost Pure!  Letting go is hard.  Even knowing that is best for all.  I personally hold on to him.

With drink  of water and ince he stills looks up and says thanks.  Water to a thirsty dying man.  Satisfying.


Words that describe my Father:  Disciplined, Deliberate, Hard Working, Giving, Walker, Protector, Strong, a good friend, loyal, Quiet in Crowds, Open one on one, Crazy in love with Juanita Faye Tedford. Photographer, Sunday School teacher, Deacon, Veteran, Father, Son, Brother, Organized, Keeper of the best yard in Tulsa,  Trustworthy, Boy Scout Leader, Stubborn, Moody, Mysterious, Lover of God, Life long student of God's Word, Outsdoorsman, Great Story Teller ( when he was in the mood) Has the respect of his children, Generous. Wise. Cautious. 

John's words to the 7 churches begins with these words.  This is what Dad is saying to each of us today....

Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne, and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us and freed* us from our sins by his blood, and made* us to be a kingdom, priests serving* his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
Look! He is coming with the clouds; every eye will see him,even those who pierced him; and on his account all the tribes of the earth will wail.  So it is to be. Amen. ‘I am the Alpha and the Omega’, says the Lord God, who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty. Then I turned to see whose voice it was that spoke to me, and on turning I saw seven golden lampstands, 13and in the midst of the lampstands I saw one like the Son of Man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash across his chest. 14His head and his hair were white as white wool, white as snow; his eyes were like a flame of fire, 15 his feet were like burnished bronze, refined as in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of many waters. 16In his right hand he held seven stars, and from his mouth came a sharp, two-edged sword, and his face was like the sun shining with full force.


When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he placed his right hand on me, saying, ‘Do not be afraid; I am the first and the last, and the living one. I was dead, and see, I am alive for ever and ever; and I have the keys of Death and of Hades.