Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart (2 Timothy 2:22).
March 6, 2024
We have about 20 chickens that regularly lay eggs that we can give to our neighbors, friends, and family. However, we were shocked recently when one of our chickens identified as a rooster. It suddenly crowed. I thought that it was a chicken with a sore throat. But no. He perfected his crowing. Then he started attacking the ladies.
After an Internet search, we learned the telltale signs of a rooster. Its tail is different. So are its neck feathers and its claws. It was then that we realized that two more of our ladies were actually men, and it’s illegal to own roosters in our city. That’s when we discovered that nobody wants roosters, and we were forced to the sad conclusion that we were going to have to send the three of them to Heaven.
I did briefly consider driving on the freeway with my car windows down. Then, if the birds flew out, it wouldn’t be my fault—like Noah letting birds out of the window of his ark. But that may cause a freeway pile up, and it wouldn’t do my testimony any good if I was dragged through court. The situation seemed hopeless.
Then, I found out that there was a lady who lived in one of the adjacent cities who saved roosters from the chopping block. I called her and found out that she had 200 reprieved roosters, and she was willing to take ours. Deb was friendly and foul-mouthed, so I asked if she watched YouTube, suggesting that she watch “Crazy Bible.” Then, I began receiving commentary texts as she watched. She was intrigued by what she saw and heard. We made an appointment to meet, and the next day Sue and I put our three roosters into a box and joyfully took them to their new home.
Deb did have 200 roosters, all of which loved to hear the sound of their own voice. She also had an assistant, whom I was delighted to find watched our YouTube channel and even owned a copy of The Evidence Study Bible. That gave me some credibility with Deb, so when I asked her to come on camera to talk about what she thought happened after death, she said she would.
No surprise, she thought that she may come back as a chicken, or even a rooster. I told her that there was no reincarnation—that it’s appointed unto man once to die and after that the judgment. I took her through the Ten Commandments, to the wonder of the cross, and I prayed with her, asking God to open the eyes of her understanding. Then, I gave her a copy of The Evidence Study Bible.
While roosters may be annoying to most of us, the Bible gives one a place of honor in Scripture. He had the important job of awakening Peter to his foolishness. Our conscience is like a rooster. It often speaks to us when we don’t want to hear it, but we must always let it awaken us to righteousness.
Deb’s sanctuary city is a wonderful picture of the kingdom of God. We were once proud sinners—crowing about our own righteousness, heading for the chopping block of God’s justice—when God in His great mercy took us under His wings and saved us from such a terrible fate.
Thanks be to God for the unspeakable gift.