JULY 2025

Ever precious greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ! It is my great honor and high privilege to share my heart with you once again! It was the Fourth of July. Debbie and I had invited a couple over to eat some of my BBQed specialties, but their plans changed, and they were not able to come. We thought, “No stress” and just received it as from the Lord, thinking that He must desire us to enjoy a quiet meal together with Him. Of a truth, there is no higher sweetness on this side of Heaven for Philip than a quiet dinner on the patio with Debbie, whom I lovingly call “my beautiful”! Thus, did the Lord ordain. . .

It was a most delightful summer day, hand-painted by the Lord for the good pleasure and enjoyment of His people. In our home, when it comes to barbecuing, the ball is quite joyfully in my court. Thus, for this holiday meal, I was chef for the day! It was growing into late afternoon, and as is our habit, Debbie and I went over the content of our meal. When I am cooking, I look to her, the humble queen of the kitchen, who is the absolute orchestrator of all of our culinary delights! She always helps me with my much-needed directions concerning the assorted sides for our meals.

This Fourth of July we were keeping it simple. I was just going to grill a few fat burgers as it were. However, instead of the usual steamed veggies on the stove, I decided to make a few aluminum foil-type veggie wraps for the grill. I put a healthy swath of coconut oil across the bottom of the foil, then topped it off with man-chunked onions, potatoes, peppers, and mushrooms to boot! The golden rule in counseling and discipleship is always to close out every session leaving the counselee with much hope. Now, let me bring that principle over to the grill.👨‍🍳 Thus, first I simmer the hallowed veggies ever so slowly so that the aroma causes the taste buds to anticipatorily dance in hopeful expectation! Ah – the goodness of our Father!

Finally, said veggies (sanctified by the Word of God and prayer) find their home by smothering the Muenster-cheese-draped fat burger while drawing the palette to the height of its very created purpose!! I would love to cook such a burger for the Lord one day. Perhaps, in the millennium I will! I want to see the joyful look on His face as He pounds one down! Behold how good and pleasant it is. . .juices of a fat burger dripping down the beard, even the beard of Jesus! A holy offering, if I may, even a scrumptious masterpiece – giving all the glory to God! (Col. 3:17, 23)

As an aside, let us remember that the Lord, Who created time, is always on time – something to observe for our own walk. He is never late, nor is He ever in a hurry. He brings all His eternal purposes to pass with impeccable timing! It could not be otherwise. It is written, “But when the fullness 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.” (Gal. 4:4-5) I have, and do, study the Master. I am wired to be on time. Timing is very important to me. Therefore, I strive to excel in that area. It has been said, “Timing is everything.” I say all that to say this: “All my culinary preparation also requires impeccable timing!” Dinner, therefore, must be served “on time” or the air is out of the proverbial balloon! My end game is that the meal may hit the table for my beautiful at the “perfect moment” – when all the flavors are sovereignly codified in all their fullness! Yes, at the peak of their savoriness, producing a delectable, finger-licking, ambrosia-like banquet! In my mind, like a meaningful song drawing you into worship, so also the meal must elicit worship or it has not brought forth its true divine purpose. . .

Now, the plot thickens. . . As I have shared many times, Debbie is a walker. She walks everyday, in all seasons, enjoying the fresh air and refreshing herself in the Lord. She has, over the years, developed many first-name-based relationships in our neighborhood – all, of course, aimed toward witnessing of the goodness of God in Christ. She is a perpetual witness. Humble, holy, and persistent in her demeanor as she seeks to share her Lord with others. It is not lost on me as to the high honor of being given such a wife! Has she not tirelessly witnessed, served, and encouraged me for 26 of my 30 years in a maximum security prison? What manner of women is this?

Meanwhile, back at the grill. . . I am laboring. I am all in, my sweatband is around my head, and I am making this masterpiece meal with all my heart for my beautiful! Debbie and I agreed that we would eat at 6:30. I am cooking, and she is going out for her walk. Everything is coming together perfectly on the grill. I am extremely joyful in my heart as I prepare this great meal! Even the timing seems to be working out perfectly! It’s 20 minutes after 6, and the sun is
shining! No doubt Debbie will be back any minute. NOT! Six thirty arrives, but Debbie does not! The meal is meticulously done and ready. She is nowhere to be seen. I am now, in my heart, far from correct. I am fit to be tied – in a godly way, of course! I remain keenly aware of what is going on in my heart. Slowly, thoughtfully, even willingly, I choose to eat this latest slice of humble pie! It was my particular meal and unbeknownst to me – it would be my main course! It was prepared before the foundation of the world, by the Lord Himself. . .just for me. I was working on the grill for her as the Lord was baking pie for me! Isn’t He good? As you may surmise. . .the pie was cooked perfectly!😃

It is written, “And Jesus answered and said unto her, ‘Martha, Martha, thou art careful [worried] and troubled about many things: but one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:41-42)

I peeped around the corner, and there was my beautiful in full-blown witness mode sharing the gospel with our neighbor, whom she had previously witnessed to. My heart melted with love for her love for the Lord. She was giving the true Bread! She was serving the Living meal! My meal quickly paled in light of the true need of the moment! Later, she came back all excited and shared her adventures over our wonderful meal. I did not even tell her I had eaten humble pie before the meal!😏 Humble pie is usually eaten alone. . .but she knows now.😉

Is there something in your life that troubles you? Are you missing the big picture too? The Lord has lots of pie to share! Let us remember, Heaven’s fare always trumps earth’s trinkets! Yes, 😁 only one thing is truly needful. So, just like my beautiful. . .

“LET US CHOOSE THE GOOD PART!”

JOYFULLY IN JESUS,
LOVE, PHILIP