​Sunsets are a daily reminder that time goes on, but tomorrow is not promised, no matter what you choose to do with your day.  Sunsets give me the opportunity to reflect upon what I have accomplished on any given day.  Did I waste it on frivolous things, thoughts, or actions, or did I do something productive that will assist me in accomplishing my goals, dreams, ambitions, or destiny.

Sunsets can be absolutely beautiful, but their beauty is a constant reminder, that an end is coming.  If you are reading this today, God has blessed you with life; sometimes we take our life and liberties for granted, expecting that we have another opportunity in the morning.  But as you see the sun setting in a persons life, you can only wonder how they feel about how they spent their day.

Seconds turn into minutes, minutes turn into hours, hours turn into days, days turn into weeks, weeks turn into months, and months turn into years.  As the years roll by, how are we preparing for our sunset.  Are we waiting for tomorrow to do what God has called us to do today.  Are we waiting for “Oneday”, when all of the stars align, and everything is in place.  

As I look at a calendar, I see Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, but I don’t see “Oneday”.  “Oneday” will never come.

I’ve been told that the most valuable property on earth, are graveyards, because graveyards are full of dreams, goals, and visions for great accomplishments, but the resident was waiting for “Oneday” to pursue them; but “Sunset” came first.

The Word of God (Psalms 118:24) tells us that “This is the day, that the Lord has made, we will rejoice and be glad in it”.  This reminds me of the importance of “today”, rejoicing in today, but preparing for our impending “Sunsets”.

​If you find yourself on Highway 60, anywhere close to Miami, Arizona, do yourself a favor, and go by "Joe’s Ribs".  A family friend of ours “Joe Miller” owns the restaurant, so we decided to stop by for a visit since we were passing through that part of the country.    We were certainly not disappointed; Adriene ordered the “Rib Platter”, and I ordered the “Brisket Platter”; yes, our fingers were in each others plates very quickly.  I’ll use the KFC slogan on this one; those BBQ platters were “Finger Lickin’ Good"

We decided to stay in Miami, AZ for the day, and evening, so we ended up going back to the restaurant a second time to spend a little more time with Joe, and his beautiful family that works along side of him.  While there the second time, a customer came in; he goes by the name “Ponch”.  As Ponch was waiting for his order, he moved to another area of the restaurant so that he could watch the sports channel on the TV; it was then, that I struck up a conversation with him.  Our conversation started as we talked about the military; as we were were both veterans, but it quickly turned to me sharing some "Good News" with him.  Ponch’s order came, but he continued to listen and talk.  A seed had been planted, and had begun to fester in him.

When Ponch finished, and paid for his meal, he headed outside to his truck; there were windows on the front of the restaurant, so I could see him.  He then came back in the restaurant to get me, and asked me to come outside with him; he wanted to show me a bumper sticker that he had on his truck; It said “Jesus Is Enough”.  I commended him on the sticker, and asked him “Jesus is enough for what?”.  That is when Ponch lit up a cigarette and shared with me about how he used to be an “Altar  Boy” as a child, and was baptized.  He also shared about how his mom would invite the Priest over for dinner.  I then asked him about his personal relationship with Christ, and that is where his story ended.  I shared with him the importance of having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, and the difference between “religion”, and “relationship”; Ponch threw down his cigarette;  that is when I shared the plan of salvation with Ponch, and he prayed with me, and accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior of his life.

We were out on the sidewalk in front of “Joe’s Ribs”; we had to move out of the way as I hugged Ponch, and welcomed him to the family of God.  There were more customers coming in, so we moved to the side.  Ponch thanked me for our time together, and introducing him to Jesus.  I gave him one of our ministry cards; he jumped in His truck, and off he went.

I thank God for preparing a way for my encounter with Ponch, and preparing his heart to receive His Word.  Welcome to the family Ponch.

And There We Built An Altar … (Miami, Arizona)