SUNDAY (Prelude)

December 21, 2025

The winter solstice occurs at 9:03 am, marking the shortest day and the longest night of the year. The good news of this darkest day is that Light now increases every day until summer.

The blessings of yesterday, the Jewish Sabbath, are already gone. “Selah” has departed. The word means ‘pause’, found often in the Hebrew music of Psalms and Habakkuk. Great music has plenty of pauses, where we catch our collective breath, letting the beauty of sounds we have just heard settle into our souls, while hopefully wondering what comes next. Such is a Sabbath rest. A wonderful pause.

We start this story with a simple remembrance of God’s wonderful gift of the 7th day, when it was time to rest. Sabbath. Too bad that modern man has made the new Sabbath (Sunday) into just another day of busyness- both for the secular and the sacred.

But now imagine with me an old story made new. Come and See your next day.

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On this Sunday morning, John the Baptist, age 30, made the three-mile-walk from a truck stop near I-10 to Steelwood Lake in the wilderness near Loxley, Alabama. He had hitch-hiked from a swamp in Florida somewhere. Mysteriously, hundreds of people knew he was coming. They followed and joined a handful of locals who were awaiting his appearance. The plan was to baptize anyone who was willing to ‘repent’, whatever that meant. It would all happen near the 15th green at a newly constructed golf course which had not yet been named, although it was loosely known as the Sanctuary at Steelwood Lake. A rickety walking bridge would be crossed to arrive at the baptism site. It might be dangerous since alligators were noticed.

John had been speaking truth to anyone who would listen for over ten years. His primary message- “Repent, for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand” – was not always understood. Indeed, John himself was not sure of the meaning and purpose of his own words. He only declared what an inner Voice told him to say. Most folks presumed he had a mental illness. He was different for sure.

His purpose in life had been explained to him long ago as a little boy. John’s mother Elizabeth told him the story of his miraculous birth. She was too old to have a baby, she said. But she did. She told her young son the story of his godly father Zechariah, long dead now, a mostly silent soul who named his only heir John.

But beyond the voice of his mother, there was another Voice inside him. And he obeyed that Voice, which was small and still, even silent on many days.

On this Sunday morning, like all other days, he did his best to answer questions about who he was. He told anyone who asked that he was just a ‘voice of one crying in the wilderness’. (John 1:23). He never directly mentioned the other Voice that spoke to him. He was sure about God but he was not sure about himself and his own role on the earth. Why was he here? He was sure at times but confused on other days.

Crowds observed that he must have studied the Jewish Scriptures. But no one knew where such a young man had learned them. He had no apparent Rabbi. He had no ‘guru’. He had no higher education, no PhD. Indeed, he was a homeless wanderer. He had no status or prestige.

But he had followers. His words seemed to bring Heaven to earth.

And so, he baptized anyone who said “Yes” to his invitation. His nickname became the Baptizer. He went into the water. The cleansing waters. John the Baptist. His name and nickname would never be forgotten.

The sun set on this Sunday evening. The crowds went their way, but he stayed nearby. He slept, along with two followers, under a magnolia tree near the lake and the 15th green.

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MONDAY (Day One)

“The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, ‘Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.’’” (John 1:29).

December 22, 2025.

As John awoke on this Monday, the inner Voice told him that a man would appear today for baptism. This first full day near the lake would see the Spirit descend from heaven like a dove, and remain on this special Man, who would indeed be the long-awaited Son of God. And sure enough, a young carpenter came walking into the waters of baptism. John knew this man. The baptizer had suspected for many years that his cousin, Jesus of Nazareth, might be that Man with a capital “M”. A Voice from above confirmed it. He now knew and boldly declared, “I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God.” (John 1:34 ESV).

The crowd had dwindled on this day. Indeed, it was almost as if John was talking to himself when he declared that the “Son of God” had appeared. No one else saw the dove or the Spirit descending on Jesus. Many thought John was just a crazy man speaking to the wind. He certainly looked the part.

And then the Man was gone. And John was left alone with his two disciples, John Zebedee and Andrew, two young fishermen who had their eyes on the lake, wondering if there might be supper there. It took only five minutes to catch three fish, sufficient for the supper fire.

They gathered again under the magnolia tree near the 15th green, discussing the mysteries and prophecies of this Man name Jesus of Nazareth. Although, as the story had been told to John, this man was really born in Bethlehem. The Baptizer reminded the two young Jewish friends of the prophecies about the Messiah, and as he spoke, his purpose on earth became clearer to himself. His holy duty was to tell the story of this Man. He was doing it. And as he taught, he learned himself.

And they slept again under the magnolia tree.

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TUESDAY (Day Two)

“The next day again John was standing with two of his disciples…” (John 1:35).

December 23, 2025.

John and his two friends awoke early on Tuesday, December 23 and went fishing as the sun rose over the forest in the east. Today was different. They caught nothing. Fortunately, the fish from yesterday was enough to satisfy the morning hunger.

And so, at noon, they decided to try this new thing called golf. John and Andrew had known the game for some time and decided it was time for the Baptizer to try the crazy game, trying to knock a small white ball with a stick into a hole. Eighteen small holes and a seven-mile walk. They started on the 16th tee. John was not impressed. After one swing of the stick, he decided to just walk and talk. He loved being with his friends on a perfect day of sunshine.

The Baptizer was not one to smile much. The weight of the world seemed to be on his shoulders. But not today. He was full of a new Joy- all smiles.

He had met the Master. And now he knew his purpose.

It was 4pm, with the sun lowering in the sky across the lake, when they arrived back ‘home’ on the 15th fairway. Up ahead, near the green, stood a lonely figure. The Man from yesterday, the one declared to be the “Son of God”, had appeared out of nowhere. John pointed to his cousin, who was now walking alone by the lake toward the 16th tee.

“Behold the Lamb of God,” said John, as this Jesus walked ahead down the 16th fairway. (John 1:36).

Nothing else needed to be said. The two disciples, on this Day Two, seemed to understand mysteries that had confused them the day before. John had explained this Lamb of God to them under the Magnolia tree last night. Jewish prophecies were discussed. And he repeated his mother Elizabeth’s stories. John had been born with the Holy Spirit in him, and thus, Elizabeth told her son things that no four-year-old could really understand. But he did. He even claimed to remember things she said when he was still in the womb.

So, Andrew and John Z, encouraged by the Baptizer, followed Jesus, who slowed and then stopped, turned around and asked, “What do you want?”

The disciples looked at each other, not knowing what to say, but then answered together with a question, “Where are you staying?”

Jesus was simple and direct, “COME and SEE”. (John 1:39).

The Savior turned and continued to walk up the hill, away from the lake and the setting sun. The disciples noticed, through the trees, a rather large building, three stories high with porches all around. The setting sun was shining on the building so bright that it was blinding. The two men had not seen this structure before. Indeed, it was hidden from their eyes until this moment. Had it been there all along? Was it real or a mirage? Apparently, Jesus was staying there.

They turned to look for the Baptizer, but he was gone. He was walking the other way, alone, back toward the bridge.

“So, they came and saw where he was staying, and they stayed with him that day, for it was about the tenth hour (4pm).” (John 1:39).

Andrew and John Z followed Jesus, who stopped and simply said with a welcoming smile, “Welcome to the Master’s Inn”.

The Master walked up steps to the third floor, where He told the boys to find a rocking chair on the back porch. The sun would be setting soon, down across the lake. Soft piano music was playing. “There’s a Sweet Sweet Spirit in this Place”. “His Eye is on the Sparrow”. “The Touch of the Master’s Hand”. “Softly and Tenderly”. “The Savior is Waiting”. “What a Friend We Have in Jesus”. They were on the Master’s playlist apparently.

Without explanation, the Master softly and tenderly sang songs from King David and Habakkuk to demonstrate the value of the silent pauses found in every piece of great music. “Selah” was important, He said. Every great life includes the opportunity to ‘pause’. This moment on the porch was the prologue to a new life available in the Kingdom of Heaven on earth.

The Master would often demonstrate this “Selah” over the next three years. Early mornings and mountain tops and walking on beaches, all alone, were his specialties. Pausing to spend time alone with only His Father to listen.

As the sun was finally setting, the aroma of a delicious meal came floating up the stairs. The Master had arranged for the fish of the day to be cooked by other friends who served at The Master’s Inn, finishing off with the perfect ice cream. Humble servants provided the meal without asking for recognition. Just seeing the Master’s smile and sensing His joy was enough for them.

As John and Andrew experienced the meal and conversation, they knew that this good news must be shared. They needed to call their brothers. Cell coverage was spotty, but Andrew called his brother Simon, who thought he heard him presumptuously blurt, “Simon, we have found the Messiah.”

So, Andrew found his brother Simon. John Z also found his brother James Z. They soon arrived at the Master’s Inn. Right on time. And thus, the Master’s plan to change the world was happening already. One man finds another. And on and on it goes.

After the dinner, Jesus called his friends back to the porch. Late into the night, His words raised more questions than answers, but the friendship was what they needed most.

Finally, a tired Jesus found a simple room on the bottom floor. The four friends took rooms at the top, overlooking the lake and the 16th fairway. But who could sleep on this holy night.

John Z took a pen and began to write a poem that would never make it to the pages of Scripture.

As we know from the end of his book, “Now there are also many other things that Jesus did. Were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world could not contain the books that would be written.” (John 21:25).

This day was one of those ‘other things that Jesus did.”

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“COME AND SEE”

So, we’re walking near the 16th Tee, the Lamb of God plus Three. We ask Him where He stays that day, He says, ‘please Come and See’.

SELAH

We follow Him to a rocking chair, not knowing what we’ll see, The sights and sounds of silence – it’s time to simply be.

SELAH

‘Streams in the Desert’, ‘Springs in the Valley’, The Savior on the porch, serene with the setting sun.

SELAH

Sleeping soundly, sacred space, Sanity surrounds this Sabbath place.

SELAH

Sampling sweets, shedding tears, Sowing seeds, a second chance, for open ears.

SELAH

Strangers, sojourners, sinners and saints, Sparrows and swallows, singing songs.

SELAH

Small but sufficient, Shining in the shadows, Seven becomes seventy, sanctified in the Spirit

SELAH

Scripture speaks at the Savior’s feet, The sound of His voice so sweet, We hear His footsteps, follow Him, Serene at the Master’s Inn.

SELAH

Salvation Sure, From Slaves to Sons, From Sons to Servants, From Servants to Stewards, From Stewards to Shepherds, From Shepherds to Soldiers.

SELAH

We’ve heard the Voice say ‘Come and See’-Not far from the 16th Tee, Salvation free - from the weight of sin, We walk to the Master’s Inn.

SELAH………. So,

Let us sit at the Master’s feet

Let us eat the Master’s bread

Let us drink from the Master’s cup

Let us take the Master’s hand

Let us learn the Master’s plan

Let us walk through the Master’s land.

SELAH

We hear the Voice- say “Come and See, The Place where I Stay is The Master’s Inn- not far from the 16th tee.”

John Z fell asleep with pen in hand, not finished but a good start… for sure, a new man.

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WEDNESDAY (Day Three)

“The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee.” (John 1:43 ESV).

December 24, 2025.

Christmas Eve at The Master’s Inn arrived in a dark quietness that steadied the souls of the four young men. Jesus had told the young men that there was a treasure in the darkness. Clouds covered the millions of stars created by the Master. Darkness was all around. The men slept soundly.

As for the Master, He had awakened early, around 3am, and wandered up the stairs to a coffee pot. He sat on the middle back porch, trying not to disturb his new followers. He was wide awake with the Voice of his Father, and the memory of this week. The dove on his shoulder and the Spirit hovering over Him. The Voice from above, a reminder that the Son had pleased the Father. His friend John the Baptizer had done his job. And now the Master was beginning the greatest three-year-journey in the history of mankind. He was finding friends to walk with Him.

Chirping birds ignored the darkness. Jesus was all ears for the sparrows and swallows but also the only Voice that mattered to Him. He heard, ‘Enough time here, it is time to go.” That was a surprise. He had thought that He would remain at The Master’s Inn for a few more days. But the Master received His orders for the day with great joy. The Father told Him that today would be a day to remember- the best day yet..

The Master’s Inn is not a permanent residence. Jesus was to show his friends that the days of refreshing at The Master’s Inn are merely intended to invigorate the disciples to ‘go to Galilee’, where more disciples would be found. On this unique day, they would not need to go far. “Galilee” would be the golf course.

The new disciples had fallen into a deep sleep. Jesus was glad to get two full hours alone with the Father on the porch.

But now at 5am, the clouds allowed one lone bright Star to appear. Jesus wanted the four sleepyheads to see the Star, so he wakened the men with the best coffee of their life and pointed to the four rocking chairs on the porch.

He told them the story of the Star that had appeared long ago at His birth. For thirty minutes, He explained why the first Master’s Inn was a manger. His mother had told Him the story in a thousand different words. There was no room in the inn, He had been told, and so now, a sign hung in the front foyer……. “Always Room in the Master’s Inn”.

On this third day, all now wide awake, the Master gave His plans for the day. The boys will start with a walk on the golf course. “Go to Galilee” was code for a walk on the course. No clubs or balls or games. Just a walk down the middle of the fairways, the perfect setting for the perfect Caddie to shed light into the heart of imperfect pilgrims.

They started at sunrise on the 16th tee. Simon couldn’t resist asking, “Where are we going?” Jesus’ answer was confusing, “I am the Way. Follow me”. They soon arrived on the 1st tee in the still-early morning, where a twosome of Philip and his friend Nathanael were just getting started.

They didn’t know this Jesus, but He knew them. The Master tells them that they will see ‘heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man’. (John 1:51). But no golf today- just a nice walk down the middle of the fairways.

With Jesus as their caddie, the sixsome imagines birdies on every hole and sees “heaven opened and the angels of God.”

The 9th hole was a good spot to stop. Twelve (12) holes. For Jesus, twelve is the perfect number. It was 9 am and time to return to The Master’s Inn to prepare for a wedding. The new disciples would soon be eyewitnesses, on this very day, to the first recorded miracle of the Master.

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WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON (Day Three Continued)

“On the Third Day there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee” (John 2:1).

So, after a short rest back at The Master’s Inn, Jesus and his six companions headed out for a Christmas Eve wedding. Sure enough, as John had imagined the night before, seven would soon become seventy, all appearing at this wedding where Jesus would soon be the Life of the party.

It was just a two-kilometer walk to the chapel at Steelwood, where a small crowd had gathered. John the Baptist was long gone. Even though he often described himself as the ‘best man at a wedding’- with Jesus the obvious Bridegroom, he knew that his presence at this wedding would be a distraction. His coat of camel’s hair would not be appropriate wedding clothes.

But why a wedding on this important “Third Day”? Shouldn’t the Lamb of God have something more holy to do than attend a social event- a wedding for people he barely knew?

Why indeed? Well, the Master had a mother who still told her thirty-year old son what to do. He was a good Son.

But more than that, the Master knew that this wedding would begin to show his new followers that he was not your ordinary rabbi. The Jewish matrimonial ceremony went as planned, but now the new Clubhouse at Steelwood would host the most infamous wedding reception in all of history.

You know the story of this “third day” very well. The “master of the feast” (John 2:8-9) ran out of wine. The embarrassment of his big day was turned into the opening act for the Master of the universe.

He turned dirty water into holy wine. Jesus chose to do his first miracle to save the family of the wedding couple from the shame of running out of wine.

Jesus cared about that newlywed couple and the embarrassed “master of the feast”, a term which perfectly fits those who host all guests for The Master’s Inn.

The hosts are the ‘master of the feast’, with a small ‘m’. The Master’s Inn is all about Jesus, who can fix any problem. Running out of wine was no problem for Jesus. He can raise the dead and heal the sick, but He also can take care of daily challenges, like feeding hungry friends and keeping the wine glasses full.

Jesus is the miracle Man of large and small. He knows how to get the beds made and the rooms cleaned at The Master’s Inn. He knows how to provide food and golf and fishing for the men and women who come to The Master’s Inn. He knows how to keep the building operational. The Master is the ultimate Maintenance Man.

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THURSDAY (Day Four)

“This miraculous sign at [Steelwood] was the first time Jesus revealed his glory. And his disciples believed in Him. After the wedding he went to Capernaum for a few days with his mother, his brothers, and his disciples.” (John 2:11).

December 25, 2025.

Our story’s final “next day” is Christmas day. The wedding is over. His glory had been revealed. The disciples believed.

It was time for Jesus to celebrate Christmas like everyone else, with family and friends back home in Capernaum. It was the birthday of Jesus, but the one who knew the story best was Mother Mary. She told the story, again, of the angel’s visit, the journey to Bethlehem, to Egypt, and finally back to Nazareth. She recalled Elizabeth and her baby son, leaping in the womb for joy. The angel Gabriel was honored again, as he should be. Indeed, some thought he may have made a cameo appearance on this special Christmas day. They remembered with affection the wonderful man Joseph. They pulled out the treasures from the wise men which had been preserved for thirty years to be remembered today.

Although he was a rookie, young John Zebedee asked to offer a special birthday prayer. He held Mary’s hand and thanked Jehovah for the faithfulness of Mary and Joseph. He thanked the Lord for sending John the Baptizer, who opened this door into the eternal for him and many others. This son of Zebedee had wisdom beyond his years.

Led by the Spirit of Jesus Himself, he found himself saying out loud for the first time, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God”.

He then opened his eyes and looked at Jesus. With words that no human could imagine, this inspired disciple prayed, “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory…”

He gave thanks for The Master’s Inn, where it all started just three days ago. He vowed that “no room in the Inn” should ever be heard—that there would always be room in the Inn for anyone in need of a Savior.

Jesus smiled as He looked into the eyes of the young disciple, knowing that a special love was forming that would never disappear. This “one that Jesus loved” could not even finish his prayer. Tears overcame him. There was no ‘amen’. This would be a Christmas to remember.

SELAH. AMEN.

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INVITATION:

We invite you to your personal “next day” at The Master’s Inn. It is a very real place, in Loxley, Alabama, at Steelwood CC, available beginning on January 1, 2026.

It is a Christ-centered venue with twelve rooms (24 beds) where time can stand still. Perfect for groups of twelve (12)- the perfect number per Jesus Himself. Or twenty-four (24) if you want to bring couples or a larger group.

But also perfect for a personal retreat, sitting in a rocking chair with the Master by your side. We recommend three days.

Why? On the Third Day, miracles happen. Eternity cannot be micro-waved.

Twelve (12) year old Jesus was ‘lost’ for three days in His Father’s house (Luke 2:46).)

Jonah was in the belly of the whale for three days. (Jonah 1:17).

Jesus Himself was in the grave for three days. “For as Jonah was in the belly of the great fish for those three days and three nights, so will the Son of Man be in the heart of the earth for three days….” (Matthew 12:40).

So, Jesus Himself will be found in one of several rocking chairs, or maybe in the Mulligan Room, or maybe the kitchen, or even the Board Room where He leads a discussion for your group.

Of course, He is a Caddie on the golf course, and a Guide on the lake. The Master will teach you the Master Plan.

You will ……….

retreat, retire, rest, remain, reflect, relax, recreate, renew, receive, reconcile, redeem, rejoice, remember, restore, revive, refill, refire, repent. Maybe even Resurrect……… All at The Master’s Inn.