A Thanksgiving Blessing

I just spent a most wonderful few days with my family. In less than a week I was able to be with each one of my children. For some that is a common achievement; for others that is only a dream. I usually fall somewhere in between. But any moment that I am able to be with my kids is a blessed one.

On Thanksgiving we traditionally think of all of the blessings we receive. In the present age, that is getting to be more difficult all the time. It's not that we don't have blessings; in fact, we are inundated with more material things than we can handle. It's that we are so used to having so much that we don't realized how good we have it.

Of course, those people who have lived through difficult times - either going through the depression or living in a country where there is little and it is hard to survive - tend to be overwhelmed by our opulence. We have so much - we can go down to the local grocery store and buy just about anything our stomach desires - and yet we refuse to give to worthy causes just because we don't want to. It's not that we can't - it's just that we won't. We feel we are entitled to what we have and that we deserve to spend it all on ourselves.

I've been thinking of the concept of Thanksgiving. I now question whether my previous understanding was correct. I used to believe that it was a time to be thankful for all that I had. To be grateful that I had bypassed the problems that others had encountered. To count what I had while contrasting that with what others didn't have.

But if we use the original Pilgrims as our example for the first Thanksgiving, they all brought the best of what they had to share with each other. Even when the Indians showed up they brought something to the table that was to be shared. True, they were thankful for all they had, but only to the point that they had something to bring to the potluck.

It is appropriate to give thanks to God for all He has done for us. The question is: what are you going to do with it? Has He blessed you? Now, who are you going to bless? Do you have a warm house? Who will you invite to share it with you? Is there food on your table? Who will enjoy your bounty?

I was blessed to be with my family. Now, who will I bless with all that I have received?

Who will you bless?

God bless you abundantly!

Halloween

I'm writing this on Halloween - October 31 - while I am sitting comfortably in my recliner. Thoughts are swirling through my head like the leaves in the breeze, so I am not so sure where this path will take me. But every once in a while an idea pops up that bears consideration, so perhaps these are the ones that will make their way onto the page.

They call it "Halloween," but there is nothing hallowed or sacred other than the fact that this day happened to land on a Sabbath (for those of you who believe in Genesis 2:3). I have watched the children and adults walk down the road in their costumes, and have yet to see one that might even hint of the "sacred." Ghosts and goblins and creatures that are gruesome, but nothing that remotely reminds me of God.

Some will quickly point out the history of the day, referring to its pagan background and even the adoption into the church by making it a celebration for the dead - a remembrance for those who are no longer walking with us. I've no desire to go there - it would only be rehashing what many already know, and by doing that I would be supporting the argument that always - and I mean always - ensues. That is not the intention of this blog....

I would rather just look at what it is today. It's a costume party where people dress up and collect (or give out, depending on which side of the door you reside) candy and treats. It's a chance to say the magic words - "Trick or Treat" - and be rewarded with sweetness. Oh, there might be some teenagers tossing rotten eggs and carrying out whatever mischief is in their hearts, but in most cases it is a fun time to dress up and visit friends.

It was actually those magic words that started me thinking. It started me thinking about life choices. As difficult as life might be, our choices are really quite simple. Satan offers us all sorts of treats - a chance for wealth and popularity and ease in a world that is focused on "things." He says he can make everything sweet for us, as long as we are willing to give our lives over to him. It is only after we have been sucked into his web that we realize we have been tricked. We have become slaves to him, and our lives - even if we do have the wealth and popularity he promised - are limited to earthly joys.

On the other side we have a bleeding Man hanging on the cross. When it comes to earthly things, He can't promise us much. He actually says, "In this world you will have tribulations." Things are going to get tough for us. It is not a life for sissies.

But He offers us so much more than anything this world could give us. Yes, it will be hard, but we will be standing for the right, we will have a cause to defend, and we will have an eternity to enjoy that will go far beyond anything we could imagine. It will be such a treat to spend forever with this Man.

So you have the choice. You can get your goodies now or enjoy eternal salvation with a God who loves you so much He died for you. It really is up to you.

Trick or treat...

God bless you abundantly!

Starting the Countdown

Recently I have been thinking of what it would be like to blast off into space. I've never been one to read all about the astronauts and dream of "being one" some day, although I've been told that someone that walked on the moon was a distant relative of mine (so I'm sure I have an inside chance of being chosen to work for NASA!). But yet flying off into space has been on my mind the past few weeks.

I was intrigued by the work of the Rutan brothers - sending a home made space craft up and back a couple times to win a 10 million dollar prize. It wasn't the money, but the challenge that drew me, although the money would be a nice bonus. Just the fact of leaving the earth behind me, watching it in the rear view mirror as I went farther and farther away from ... everything.

Perhaps my interest has to do with how tired I have become of what the world has to offer. I seek a new world that God has planned for me.

However, just like the preparation that the astronauts have to go through, I can't expect to be ready without my own preparations. Jesus has challenged us to go to all the world, making disciples of all nations, and sharing the good news of a loving Father. That doesn't happen if I spend all of my time sitting in front of the TV, or putting in extra hours at the office. If I am going to do the job that God has given me, I have to do something.

So I want to start the countdown. I want to do something every day that leads to finishing the work that is before me. I want to go home!

Are you ready to start the countdown with me?

God bless you abundantly!

Transactional or Transformational Christianity?

In the world of Human Resources there is a rumbling that has everyone wondering what is going to happen with their chosen profession. For years the job of the Human Resources department, or as it used to be called, "Personnel," was to make sure that the employees were hired correctly, that all of their paperwork was in place, that they had accurately signed up for their benefits, and that, should it come to it, the employee was terminated legally. For years that was the sum and total of the responsibilities of the H.R. Manager.

But as businesses evolved, upper management started asking if that was a necessary role for a person or a department. Couldn't a manager be trained to carry out most of those tasks? In fact, if the process was simplified, wouldn't it be more effective to make most of those tasks "self-service," and have the new hire take care of them himself? As businesses moved into the electronic and computer-based world, it became obvious that many of these things could be done without the help of a Human Resources leader.

This trend towards self sufficiency was a wake-up call for the profession. They realized that if they were going to continue, they needed to recreate themselves. They saw that they needed to be involved with the strategy of the organization - to bring their understanding of the human side of business to the table to help the organization succeed. And in the successful businesses in America, that is exactly what is happening.

It reminded me of the need I have in my life. I have often focused on the "doing" of Christianity - the tasks that I felt demonstrated that I was a Christian. You know, kind of like the rich young ruler that came to Jesus; "All of those things I have done from my youth." The things that in the Human Resources world are called "transactional activities."

But those things don't result in true change. It's like rotating old tires on a car - they might be in a different place than they were before, but that won't put more tread on the tires! While I see the value of rotating tires, sooner or later I will have to do something about those bald tires....

The true change happens when we focus not on the tasks but on the core. That is what HR calls "transformational activities." And in Christianity our part is submitting our wills to Christ so He can change us from the inside out.

Romans 12:2 says, "And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." That's transformational talk. And if you want to know how that happens, I encourage you to read the prayer that Paul prayed in Ephesians 3:14-19.

Matthew West describes my feelings exactly in the words of his song: "I don't want to go through the motions..." How about you?

God bless you abundantly!

Moments to Live

I've always been intrigued by the final words that people say before they die. I like to think it reveals what is the most central theme of their feelings - the deepest emotions and values. Perhaps. After reading a list of the last words of some people, I wonder if it also reveals how shallow people really are.

I've been thinking of dying recently. Not that I feel it is in my immediate future, but also I want to be honest and realize that it is not something that couldn't happen soon (my theory is that most people are surprised by their own deaths - we tend to think of ourselves as having more time than we really have!). Death is not something that I fear, but something I would like to avoid, and certainly delay as long as possible!

Here's where I am going with this: most people, when they know that they have only moments to live, don't spend that time thinking about new schemes to make money, or wishing that they could have just one more hour so they could clean the house. Most wish they could spend a few more minutes with friends and family, or clear up misunderstanding that might have caused a rift in a relationship. Most people want to make things right, with their fellow men and with God.

So what would happen to our personal worlds if we lived each day as if we only had moments to live? How would that affect our interactions with others? How would that impact our daily decisions? What would become the most important things to us if we knew we only had moments to live?

One of my new favorite texts comes from Romans, chapter 14 and verse 19. It says, "Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify (or build up) another." (NKJV) What stands out to me is that we need to actively seek (pursue) those things that bring peace into our world (not a passive process - that means we are not seeking our own selfish desires, but laying aside our wants and even needs to bring peace to relationships). We also will look for ways to put others ahead of us and build them up, not tear them down as is the norm for the world today.

How would our lives be different if we lived as Paul suggests? Wouldn't you be honored to have your tombstone say, "He lived to bring peace and elevate the lives of his fellow man?"

If you only have moments to live, how will you spend these final days?

God bless you abundantly!

Where Did That Come From?

She tried to make herself as unobtrusive as she possibly could. It wasn't that she was afraid to be around people - it was more that she didn't know if she was doing the right thing. She clutched the small container to her breast as she hurried along.

Even now, just thinking of His words was enough to bring tears to her eyes. She was the one that had been sitting at His feet, listening intently to His words, barely hearing the clanking of the pots and pans in the kitchen. He had said something about Jonah - something about Him being in the earth for three days just like Jonah was in the belly of the great fish. She didn't want to believe her ears, but she was almost sure that He had said that He was going to die.

How could that be? Didn't He have the power to raise men from the dead? Why, her own brother had been raised from the tomb four days after he had died, and he was up and walking and praising God. He had been the one that had called her brother from the grave. How could someone like that die?

Now there was this big party to celebrate the works of this Man, and her brother was the invited guest. Because of her history and because she was a woman, she had been left off the guest list. But that didn't stop her. Even now she was headed there with a package that was feeling heavier and heavier with each step.

She paused. What was she doing? It had taken her life's savings - which hadn't been all that much, but would take her several years of hard work to replenish - just to purchase the box that contained the most exquisite and aromatic fragrance ever created. Some would think that this was an impulse purchase, but she had agonized for many days about what would be the right thing to do for Him. She tightened the sash on her robe and started again for the house on the hill.

She heard the sounds of the party long before she reached the gates to the elegantly designed mansion. As she hurried past the main part of the house she caught a glimpse of her brother, dressed in his best robe but still looking shabby amongst the group of learned men. But there was something about the way he held his head that almost gave him a regal look.

She found the way into the servants entrance, and walked quickly through the kitchen. She had learned that if she acted like she belonged in a place, people would be less likely to stop and question her. In the far corner she could see her sister busily cooking over a hot cauldron of spicy soup. Trying to keep from being seen, she stumbled over some pots of food that were being prepared, nearly falling onto one of the kitchen helpers that was busy setting out a plate full of delicacies. She waited for a scolding, but the harried girl was too frazzled to give her more than a scornful look.

It was like a maze, but she worked her way through the mass of humanity and into the inner part of the house. The guests were settling down around the low table, and as was the custom, her brother and the Master, the honored ones, were at the head of the table with their backs to her. She paused for only a moment, then dropped to her knees at the Master's feet.

She drew the alabaster box out from the folds of her robe and gently broke the fragile lid. Immediately the air around her was filled with the sweetest smell, and invigorated by the scent, she gently poured it on his feet. Using her long hair, she wiped the Master's feet, spreading the perfume with every stroke.

Suddenly she realized what she was doing. Where did this idea come from, she wondered? What was it that compelled her to give her all without consideration of the cost for the One who had saved her from a life of shame and death? She realized that only from her heart of love could such an extravagant gesture find a beginning.

By this time the other guests were noticing the aroma filling the air. Where could this fragrance be coming from, they asked. They immediately recognized the value and could only surmise that the host had generously provided such a pleasing fragrance.

But the host, sitting near the Master, knew what was happening. Where did she come from, he asked. He knew of her and her reputation - more intimately than anyone should know. And now she was pawing over this Man. Why, if He knew what manner of woman she was, He would never allow her to touch Him. But maybe He did know.... What kind of man would openly admit to knowing this kind of woman?

And the keeper of the coins, the master of the money bags, the greedy gatherer of the gold, immediately wondered: Where did a woman like this get that kind of money? If she was a true follower of the Man, she should have given me - er, I mean Him - all of the money that was used for such a frivolous and disgusting display of waste!

And the Man - He said something about how the story of her act would be shared around the world. That her ability to give from the heart unashamedly and without reservation was truly an act of love and worship. That she would be an example to all of how we should give everything when we worship Him.

And friends, that's that way I want to worship Him this week!

God bless you abundantly!

Let it Shine, Let it Shine!

I've been thinking about what it means to shine...

In Matthew 5:16 Jesus says, "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven." A few verses before that He said, "You are the light of the world." I Thessalonians 5:5 reminds us that "You are all sons of light and sons of the day."

So what does that mean? What is the light that we are supposed to be shining?

I remember as a kid someone took a glow stick (that plastic tube with a glass ampule inside that you bend and break so the two chemicals mix and it glows a green light for 20 minutes) and cut it open and spread the chemical around his mouth and on his face. In the dark he glowed - not really shined - but is that what we are supposed to do? Maybe not....

Let's go back to the first text: "Let your light shine so people see your good works..." Part One (letting your light shine) results in Part Two (people seeing your good works). Something about letting your light shine causes you to do good things, and people will notice those things. Notice that it doesn't say "Make your light shine." It says, "Let it shine." To me that means something happens that, as part of the transformation, the result is a "shining" that you allow to burst forth. But what is it that happens that causes the light to start shining?

It can't be something that happens naturally. Our sinful natures are far from beacons of light. So something has to transform us.

Jesus told Nicodemus that he needed to be born again (or "from above."). He made it clear it was not something that he could do on his own. Peter says "...having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever..." (I Peter 1:23).

Just like the fact that we cannot cause ourselves to be born again, this process is completely outside of our ability to make it happen. We can't do it. But we can be willing to submit and let God do it for us!

Imagine this! We are lost in the darkness and cannot find a way out. But Someone comes and says, "Hold on to My hand and I will lead you out of this darkness." All we can do is grasp on and follow. And as we walk we see that we are starting to change. Perhaps it starts with a lessening desire to go our own direction, and we start to enjoy the warmth of the hand that we hold. And something else is happening. We realize that we were not just in the dark - we were also blind, but we are starting to see. And we are starting to glow!

Now can you imagine saying this? "...giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light. He has delivered us from the power of darkness and translated (transferred) us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins." (Colossians 1:12-14)

Now does Matthew 5:16 make more sense? When we take God's hand and accept the gift of salvation - redeemed through the blood of His Son - we begin to change. Rather than hold it back, we let and even embrace the change, and we are transformed. The more we become like true members of His family, the more we become like Him, and Part One (letting our light shine) begins to take over. And people start to notice (Part Two). And they start asking questions.

That is when Part Three starts: "...and glorify your Father in heaven." Not because anything that we have done, but who we have become. All glory goes to God!

And that's how you know your light is really shining!

God bless you abundantly!

In Other Words...

Del am tang sho deh....

Sometimes you can't really express yourself in the English language. It's not that there aren't enough words - it's more that the subtle nuances seem to be missing. I'm sure that it's because I have emotional attachments with the words in another language - in this case, it's a Persian phrase that seems to fit my feelings.

It means my heart aches....

Have you had those times when, for unknown reasons, you long for heaven more than usual? When every fiber of your body yearns for a heavenly embrace? When you can't wait to leave the pain of this world behind you and walk on those streets of gold with your friends and family forever?

That's what I'm feeling today. I am so tired of what sin has done to this world - what the devil has wrought on relationships of those closest to me. To look into the eyes of my friends and see the hurt that they have encountered and feel their scars of past injuries. To be reminded of my own keloids from one painful cut after another - one scar on top of the previous one. Sometimes I feel that I don't want to go on....

"Come to Me all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." Rest. I long for rest. Not just a night of closing my eyes. Not just the oblivion of a restful sleep. I want rest in the days as well. I read the words again in Matthew. "Come to Me...." That's what I want. To run up to Him and throw my arms around Him and crawl up into His lap and just rest in Him.

I close my eyes and take a deep breath. I don't have to carry this burden. I am reminded of the words of the song, "Give them all, give them all - give them all to Jesus." I can feel the tension slowly release. Heaven is just around the corner - my Jesus is coming soon to take me home.

Arram... Sometimes it hard to express yourself in just one language. Arram... it means "peace." The kind that passes all understanding. The kind that only God can give.

My heart is feeling better already...

God bless you abundantly!

The Wind in my Face

I have a reason this is late....

I know - you are going to say it is just an excuse. And perhaps you are right. But I made a choice that took me away from my computer at the time I had planned to sit down to write my blog. But today my chair was empty, and I was gone.

It started when a friend said, "Do you have anything planned for this afternoon?" At first I hemmed and hawed - I knew I had to get my blog written and find the quotes for "Prayers of Faith" this week. Then he said, "We are going for a ride this afternoon and would like it if you and Toni could come with us."

That was all it took.

After a hurried lunch I pulled the car out of the garage and started up the motorcycle. It ran just fine, so we grabbed our helmets and jumped on the bike. We rode over to our friends' house and met up with some others, and ended up having a most enjoyable afternoon.

So while I wasn't sitting in my house typing up my thoughts, being out in the open with the wind in my face didn't keep me from thinking. Can you believe I was thinking of heaven and the new earth?

You see, to me heaven is not a place where we sit on clouds and strum harps. Oh, there will be music, but such music that will swell up from our very souls and fill us with joy like we have never experienced here on earth. We will worship God for all that He has done for us, and I believe that our praise for Him will only grow over the years as we understand more of what His sacrifice means for us.

But I believe our lives will be far more fulfilling than we could ever experience here and now. We might think that what the world has to offer is pretty amazing, but "eye has not seen" what God has in store for us there.

And beyond the things that we will be able to do is the fellowship that we will be able to enjoy with each other. We will be able to connect on a level - so pure and encompassing - that will far surpass anything that we have experienced on earth. We will truly understand what it means to be "a friend that sticks closer than a brother."

Today I was with friends, and we were able to enjoy a common passion. I was blessed to ride through the country side, watching the deer jumping the fence as we cruised by, seeing the hawks circle in the clear sky, feeling like I was at peace. But heaven has so much more to offer me than even an afternoon with friends on motorcycles.

Now here's what I really want to feel: The wind in my face as I am leaving this earth to meet my Savior! "And so shall we ever be with the Lord."

That's the ride I am truly waiting for!

God bless you abundantly!

Music of Heaven

Have you ever heard a song that immediately turns your heart to heaven? Has music ever affected you to the place where you wonder how the heavenly music could ever be better? Have you wished that you could just absorb the melodies and watch the performers for hours on end?

I was blessed to experience that last week. I was visiting my parents in Arkansas and as part of our time together we visited the Ozark Folk Center in Mountain View. This unique center houses craftsmen of all sorts that use the historic methods of making everything from candles to brooms to quilts and everything in between.

Music is a significant part of the Ozark Folk Center, and since Mountain View is called the Folk Music Capital of the World, you can expect to hear some quality folk music. Several evenings during the week local and visiting musical artists will take the stage to perform acoustic music written before 1948. These musicians demonstrate their skills on a variety of instruments and perform vocal numbers as well.

Age was no limit, and performers as young as 11 took the stage along side of men in their 80's. I sat spellbound as one musician after another brought music to life and enveloped me in the joy of music. While all of the music was exceptional, there were two groups that truly touched my heart. One was a group that had three brothers, ages 11, 12, and 14. With the help of an older gentleman providing rhythm guitar, their upright bass, mandolin, and fiddle music was truly unbelievable. The second group was three girls - two sisters ages 14 and 16, and a 17 year-old friend - playing a bass, guitar, and fiddle. Their instrumentals were also amazing, but their a capella voices brought down the house.

One of the greatest blessings of heaven I believe will be the music that we will not only hear but also participate in. Perhaps it will be like the music I heard from these young people.

If it was, I now have one more reason to be there!

God bless you abundantly!

The Best Laid Plans

It was one of those days. ...

I'm sure that you have experienced a similar one in your life. It started out with the alarm clock gently reminding me that it was time for me to get up and go to the gym. My body, on the other hand, gently reminded me that I had not had enough sleep with all my tossing and turning throughout the night, and that I could certainly benefit from a couple more hours of rest. The mental tug-of-war continued for the next few minutes; unfortunately, the alarm clock won this round.

I quietly got out of bed, trying not to waken my wife from her own night of restless dozing. I put on my workout clothes and gathered more clothes for work. The cats were meowing at the kitchen window, so I fed them on my way out to the car.

It was still dark outside, and the 20 minute trip into town was uneventful. I tried to see if there were any Great Horned Owls sitting on telephone poles, but all I could see were the silhouettes of large crows as I passed by.

As soon as I got to Main Street I knew something was wrong. Normally at 5:00 in the morning I would see 10 or more cars parked in front of the gym, even on a Friday. But there were only 3 cars there, and as I pulled up, I could see that there were people still sitting in their cars. A quick glance towards the gym told me that whoever was supposed to be there to open the doors at 4:45 had experienced a different outcome with his or her battle with the alarm clock.

I waited for several minutes, but after a while I, along with the other would-be exercisers, started up our engines and drove away. I went to work.

Sometimes we have such wonderful plans for our lives. Think of some of the Bible greats. So many of them had decided where their lives would lead, and then something happened that changed everything. Paul, as Saul, was destined to be a great leader in the Jewish tradition, but ran into a brick wall when he tried to ignore the prodding of the Holy Spirit. His life ended in chains - a prisoner in Rome because he proclaimed the very Man he had tried to destroy. Peter was going to be a fisherman, but ended up giving his life for an itinerant Preacher. Most of the apostles suffered a similar fate.

Then there was the rich young man who was drawn to Jesus, but went away sorrowful because he couldn't bring himself to part with his possessions. Of course, we can't forget Judas, who had such opportunity as he spent day after day at Jesus' feet, yet in the end could not even stand himself for his betrayal of his Master.

And what of your life? Has it gone the way you anticipated? What detours have you taken? Are you currently in the very place you want to be, or is there more you want to accomplish?

It has become a common text, but it still bears repeating. Jeremiah 29:11-14 has some interesting points that it makes, and they all apply to our lives today. First, nothing is a surprise to God. He says, "I know the plans I have for you - the thoughts for your future that are in My mind." Remember that God is saying this while the Israelites are in exile. That's not where they were supposed to stay. God says, "I see your future, and it is full of hope."

What facilitates this change? Verses 12 and 13 say, "Then you will call upon Me and pray to Me and I will listen and answer. And you will find Me when you seek for Me with all of your heart."

Have we fully found God - do we know Him intimately? Are we seeking Him with all our hearts? Is He the most important relationship in our lives?

Verse 14 says that when we find Him, then He will free us from captivity. He will bring us back home.

Perhaps you had great plans for your life, but the cares of the world got in the way. It's not too late to go back home. We can still find Him if we seek Him, and He will bring us back to the place He has prepared for us - and not us only, but all those who seek His appearance!

Are you willing to see what plans He has for you?

God bless you abundantly!

Random Thoughts

I apologize even before I start (a trick that I learned from my wife!). As much as I would like to say there is a thread that connects these thoughts, I cannot confirm that as truth, and to predict that there is something that unites these random ideas would be purely speculation on my part. Perhaps you will see something that has slipped past me - something that makes these words a part of something greater. I can say now that there is no intention to weave a central theme throughout the following paragraphs, so if you discover something that I have missed, please let me know....

It's been a while since I wrote a blog, and sometimes I go too many directions in my mind when I don't have a medium to release them. Journaling or blogging has been an "out" for me, especially when something happens in my life that stimulates thought. So the following are some of the ideas that have been percolating for a while - use them to stimulate your own thoughts or view them as only random musings of a random guy!

Are there times in your life when a thought comes to you from out of the blue? Perhaps it is a discovery or insight that you have never mulled over before - a new concept that settles in your mind and sends you places that you have never been before. I have often wondered - where do those ideas originate? Is the mind so sophisticated that it can take known thoughts and fill in the blanks with new thoughts? I can see where God can place ideas in our minds through the power of the Holy Spirit, but what about those non-spiritual ideas? Does God also bring us ideas that are secular - something that stretches our minds beyond our current horizons?

Speaking of God - why did He place a tree in the Garden of Eden that was the only place that mankind could be tempted? What was the temptation? Was it an appetite issue? Not really - I doubt that Eve was hungry, since she pointed out the fact that she had access to any other tree, and could take a bite of the fruit from those trees at any time she wanted one. So was the temptation as simple as deciding to go "my way or God's way?" If that was it, then could we say that every temptation we experience is the exact same one - to do things our way as opposed to God's way? If that is true, then suddenly the importance of finding out what God wants for us takes on a new meaning. Understanding that God only wants the best for us (and I truly believe that He does), then the intent of our relationship with God (and the importance of it) is to discover what He has designed for us to do and be and to follow that or institute that into our lives as fully as possible. Which includes every aspect of our lives. Even when we in our limited knowledge don't understand why we are asked to do something. It may feel as innocuous as being asked not to eat from the tree - but it has so much at stake.

What gives you strength - the times that challenge you or those times when "the livin' is easy?" If it is those tough times, why do we pray for peace in our lives? Why don't we, like Caleb in the Old Testament, ask for the land with the giants? Why do we feel that God has left us when we are given trials that are designed to help us to grow and better meet the challenges that are coming?

If Solomon was the wisest man that lived, why don't I spend more time studying what he wrote? What have I learned from Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Solomon?

Finally, what am I going to do this week that will bring me closer to my goal of an eternal relationship with God? Relationships are open-ended; they can always get better. How good do I want it to get this week?

Random thoughts - do you want to share yours with me?

God bless you abundantly!

Get Outside!

If your life has become as crazy as mine has, it's time for you to go outside and enjoy a bit of nature. You will be amazed at the smells - the fragrant flowers in the high mountain valleys, or the newly mowed hay, or maybe just the scent of the pine trees as they warm themselves in the sun. You might be fortunate enough to see some animals in their natural habitat - the deer or elk or maybe just the squirrels and chipmunks. Who knows what else you might see?

Take some time to let the sun shine on your face. Feel the breeze as it plays with your hair. Close your eyes and listen to the sounds around you - the different birds singing their song, or the wind through the trees. It's not as quiet out there as you might think.

While you are out there, remember the God that created this all for you. Don't forget that His creation flows from an abundance of love for you. He made it so you could enjoy it.

I could write more, but right now I need to go outside and enjoy the evening!

God bless you abundantly!

I Just Wanna Go Home....

Loneliness... ugly, heart wrenching, painful feelings of being alone. An emotion that tears at your very soul, at the core of your being. An ache that never seems to go away.

It comes to all of us at one time or another. It can creep up when we least expect it, for reasons that may seem unreasonable. Mentally we try to overcome it, but there is no way for us to completely drive it away.

You know when you have experienced it, but unless someone else has been through a similar situation, that person will never know the depths of your suffering. To them, there is no reason for such intense feelings. Logically it doesn't make sense. But to you, there is no pain that is so acute, no trauma to the soul that is more agonizing.

Sometimes it comes when a friend leaves. Sometimes it comes when a friend dies. Sometimes it comes when a heart is abused and love is left to die.

My daughter knows the pain. After spending nearly a year of her life on an island hours away from "home" with children that she learned to love intensely, she returned to a land that no longer felt like "home." While we tried to make her transition back as painless as possible, we could not heal the ache of loneliness and homesickness that dogs every moment of her day.

Recently I have been feeling the same way. My pain seems like it has gotten more agonizing, my eyes fill with tears much too often, and I find myself daydreaming at all times of the day and night. Sometimes I wake up in the middle of the night sobbing from the ache of separation. I just hurt...

I understand homesickness. I yearn for a land that I have never seen, except through the eyes of faith. I want more than life itself to be able to go to a place where there is no sickness, no death, no prison bars, no separation, no leaving, no good byes. I want to be able to throw my arms around my heavenly Father and know that He will never let me go away from Him again. I want all of my friends and family with me to spend an eternity in joyous celebrations of life and love.

Just thinking of that day fills my eyes with tears and fills my heart with hope! Jesus promised, "If I go away, I will come again!" (John 14:3) The angels said, "This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven." (Acts 1:11) Paul said, "For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.... Therefore, comfort one another with these words." (1 Thessalonians 4:16, 18)

That's the day that I am longing for! This world will never be my home, and while I will continue to serve the Lord to the best of my ability, and pray for all of the hurting and heartbreaking requests that are sent to me daily, my one desire is to go to the place that is prepared for me.

Are you up to taking a trip with me?

"Even so, come Lord Jesus!" (Revelation 22:20)

God bless you abundantly!

Some Rain Does Fall

I had such plans for today.

Because of some challenging financial times affecting work, we were asked to pick a day this month that we could take off. I chose today - I wanted to get the lawn mowed in the morning and jump on my motorcycle in the afternoon, cruise downtown to catch the flavor of the motorcycle rally and take a look at all of the bikes that had come into town. It was going to be a good day.

But I woke up to rain, and while it wasn't a torrent, it was enough to ruin my plans. The grass didn't get cut, and will continue to grow, making it even more difficult to mow. I did get to go downtown to look at the motorcycles, but there were fewer ones in the rain - and I drove the truck instead of riding the bike.

(to be completely honest, later in the day the sun came out enough for me to get on the bike and ride into town to fill the tank with gas and head back home.)

I was reminded of all of our plans for our lives. We so much want things to go a certain way, and we make plans that are based on our dreams. But they seldom work out the way we plan.

Jesus spoke about a man who was making a good income - his crops were doing well, and he had more than his barns could hold. So he decided to tear down his old barns and build even bigger ones where he could store all of his goods. His plans were for his success, and he had the route already decided.

But he forgot to consider God in the equation. That night would be his last, and everything he had saved for would go to someone else. (you can read the parable in Luke 12:13 - 21)

Are there things in your life that are not going as planned? Does it feel like everything you were hoping to achieve is beyond your reach, and that your life has gone a different direction than you ever intended? Do you feel that God has forgotten you?

I believe that God is most interested in outcomes. Don't get me wrong - He still wants to give us the desires of our hearts. But if it comes down to giving us something now at the risk of losing eternal life with Him, He is always going to chose eternity. Eternal life with Him means so much to Him that He is willing for us to suffer some now to ensure we are ready for the future plans that are beyond our greatest dreams. I'm sure that He suffers with us when we suffer, but He keeps His eye on the prize, and keeps encouraging us along the way to that goal.

Romans 8:18 has become one of my favorite verses. It says "For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us." No comparison. Not even worth talking about. Don't even waste your breath mentioning it.

Friend, please remember this: You are of such value to God that He sent His only Son to die so you can spend eternity with Him. We will have some rain that will fall in our lives. But ultimately the Son of Righteousness will arise in our hearts, and "thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words." (I Thessalonians 4:17-18)

God bless you abundantly!

Who Loves Ya, Baby?

I'm not sure that I am fond of funerals, but there is something about a funeral that appeals to me. Don't misquote me - saying a final goodbye has always been agonizing, and even if I don't know the person that has passed away, I always leave with tears in my eyes.

What I appreciate is the fact that people get up and say things that are wonderful about the deceased. They remember all of those times when the person was vibrant, funny, and full of life. They share stories that bring back that person from the dead - figuratively speaking. They remember the very best.

Why do we have to wait until someone passes away before we feel the freedom to recall all of the best things about them? Why can't we just plan on regular celebratory events that would focus on lifting up those we love?

Yesterday I was able to arrange a surprise party for my wife. It was her birthday, and with the help of some very good friends we were able to bring people together from different parts of her life (church and work friends) to just shower their love and appreciation on her. It was a fun time that she will remember forever. She has been talking about it all day, shaking her head in disbelief that those people would care enough to do this for her.

On Monday my daughter comes back from her year in Saipan. She has fallen in love with the children that she worked with, and they in turn have fallen in love with her. She said that one child hugged her around the neck so tightly and didn't want to let go. That embrace will stay embedded in her mind for many years to come. The child never held back his love.

So who do you love? Who has touched your life so significantly that you want to recognize them? What is holding you back?

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have every lasting life."

God never held back for you...

God bless you abundantly!

Peace in the Valley

Yesterday I paused....

It was not like hitting the "pause" button on the CD player, or temporarily stopping the treadmill, only to get back on and resuming my run. This was different. What happened after the "pause" contrasted greatly with what had occurred before.

Let me back up and start from the beginning.

I wanted to get off work by 4:00, but one thing ran into the next, and it was nearly five o'clock before I locked my office door and headed to the car. For some reason, even though the week was essentially one day shorter because of Memorial Day, it seemed that the week had gone on forever. I had things that I wanted to do before the sun set, and I was already an hour behind.

The drive home was uneventful, even if it was a little on the high side of the speed limit most of the time. I felt anxious as I waited for supper, working on a few things that I could do without worrying about being interrupted. Perhaps I didn't help as much with cleaning up afterwards as I rushed to get to my "tasks." I hoped that my wife would understand....

While I was working on my computer I noticed through the window in the kitchen that it was getting darker and darker outside. I checked the clock - in fact, I checked several to make sure that it wasn't sundown already. I confirmed that it was over an hour away, then went back to my work on the laptop.

But the Internet gods were not cooperative. I tried several times - even shutting off the computer and rebooting it, but to no avail. I had lost all connectivity.

While I don't believe that I am cursed with a bad temper any more, I was bordering on being perturbed. That is, until I heard the wind blow.

There is just something about the power of the wind that puts me in a state of awe. I love to watch the trees sway and listen to the roar of a good wind. So I sat back in my easy chair and just listened. It didn't last long, for it was soon replaced by the sound of the rain pouring down.

This wasn't an ordinary rain. This was a serious rain! I made my wife stop what she was doing and we turned out all of the lights in the house. There we sat on the couch, looking out the front window as the rain poured down. It wasn't long before the rain was joined with lightning and thunder, and soon we were enjoying a surround sound experience that rivaled anything that Hollywood could produce.

We sat there, not talking much, just listening and watching as nature put on a show. As the rain subsided a faint light started to glow in the west. It began as a light golden hue that subtly grew in brightness, slowly expanding under the dark clouds. The colors changed into oranges and pinks and purples, with one spot of a perfectly blue, cloudless sky opening to show that above the darkness there still was a day that was slowly slipping away.

I sat and took in every bit of the beauty, the power, and the experience that I could. All of the rush that I had felt before had melted away. Those deadlines I had set for myself were now unimportant and forgotten. There would be time to deal with those things later. Right now I had an appointment with my God as I welcomed in His sanctified day for me.

And on this day I have experienced a peace in our little valley that I believe God had planned for me all along. He who said "Come unto Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest" also promised me a peace that passes all understanding. And that is what I experienced last night, and renewed it as I worshiped Him today.

I pray that you experienced that in your life as well.

God bless you abundantly!

Table for Two, Please

What's on your menu?

I'm not talking about those recipes that grace your dinner table, or those trips you take down to the local fast food joints. I don't need to know what you've got in your cupboard. What I'm asking about is even more important than what you put in your mouth - more life-sustaining than the groceries in your refrigerator. My question has eternal consequences.

I don't know if I've thought about this question before in just this way. It came from some agonizing over a sermon that I was scheduled to preach. Usually I have more topics wandering through my mind than I can handle, so grabbing one to create a sermon is not that much of a challenge. But this time it just wouldn't come.

I started thinking of things that had happened in my life, and since I have lost some weight and am involved in Weight Watchers, I thought maybe something about that could be modified into a sermon. I checked out what the Bible has to say about food, and somehow started thinking on the similarities between a healthy life and a healthy relationship with God.

The parallels are uncanny....

When you eat food that has little or no nutritional value, your body suffers. When you put things into your life that have little or no eternal value, your relationship with God suffers. These things don't even have to be "bad," but activities that take you away from your time with God. I'm sure you can think of enough things that fit into this category.

In some countries people don't have the luxury of a variety of foods to eat, and may have to try to sustain their lives on an occasional bowl of rice. They become what we call malnourished. You've all seen the pictures of the children with the distended bellies and felt sorry for their condition. Yet we have Christians that are just as spiritually malnourished. They feel that a visit to church every once in a while - as long as it doesn't interrupt their plans - is sufficient to maintain their relationship with God. Reading the Bible, engaging in regular prayer, fellowshipping with other believers on a frequent basis - those are things that they plan to do later in their lives. After all, they are good people, and God understands their hearts.

Then there are those people with eating disorders. There are some that may appear to be eating a lot of food, but when you are not looking they "get rid" of it. They never truly get the nutritional value taken into their lives. They are impostors - appearing to be something on the outside, but living a totally different life when no one is watching. The example in the Bible that comes to mind would be the way that Jacob and his mother deceived the blind and aging Isaac by making a savory dish from a couple lambs and covering Jacob's arms with lamb's wool to make him feel hairy like his brother Esau. It may have smelled the same and felt the same, but inside it was a totally different person. You can see the parallel in the lives of some TV evangelists. In front of the public they are amazing persons - such wonderful Christians - but off camera it is a different story.

We all need to grow in our relationship with God. And just like any living thing, if it stops growing, it starts dying.

So what is on your menu? What are you going to do this week that is specifically designed to enhance your relationship with God? What is going to make a real difference in your eternal destination? What tasty meal will you serve up just for you and God to enjoy?

I'm sure you have all of the ingredients in your house right now!

God bless you abundantly!

Busy Day...

Last night I was writing a letter to my son Josh. I specifically had set the evening aside for that task - I didn't have anything else scheduled to do. As I was writing I realized that my pen was going faster and faster. I would literally tell myself to "slow down," and as soon as I turned my back (so to speak!) my pen would be going a hundred miles an hour again!

Here's part of the conversation I had in my mind.

"Why are you doing this? You don't have to rush, and it's okay to relax a bit. You're writing like you are in a race. Just let it go - relax!"

I started thinking about my week. It had been crazy busy, and I still had lists of things that I needed to get done. It reminded me of a song I have on an old record (yes, the vinyl kind - circa 1980) by Chuck Girard. The chorus goes like this: "Busy day, busy day, busy busy busy day, busy busy busy busy day (and then it repeats the same line again, but I think you get the picture!). What has always amused me (and I am sure that it was intentional) was the fact that even the chorus, as "busy" as it is, doesn't say anything. Like perhaps the busyness of my life not saying or meaning anything...?

Does that describe your life? Do you feel that you are on a runaway train that is gaining speed and heading to certain destruction?

How did we get here? What happened? When you were growing up did you dream of rushing through life, never taking the time to experience the blessings that God has for you, not having a dynamic relationship with friends and family, nor developing an eternal friendship with our Savior? Do you think that this is God's wish for you?

I don't know what your life is like, but for me I believe that God has something better in mind. Here are a few things that He wants to share with me (and possibly you):

"Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." John 14:27

"Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." Psalm 46:10

"These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." John 17:33

"Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." Matthew 11:28 - 30

"Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him." Psalm 37:7

And while on this earth I may not fully experience all of the rest that He has planned for me, I know that soon He will be coming to take me to a place where I can rest in His love eternally. Where all of my burdens will be gone forever. Where I will enjoy true peace.

I would love to spend that time with you....

God bless you abundantly!

Money, Money, Money!

This is not a subject that people like to talk about. Oh, we are fine talking about what new "toy" we just bought, or the extravagant trip we are planning, or maybe even how our stocks are doing in the market. As long as we are controlling the "dough," we are okay bringing it up in a conversation. We can even throw a bill or two into the offering plate without thinking about it. But what is truly responsible use of the financial resources that God has given us?

What I am talking about is giving. How do we determine how much we should give? Do we wait for the right "need" to arise before we open our wallets, or do we have a plan for giving that takes the heart out of it? Is it a calculation of percentages, or is there something more involved with the way we should give?

There are interesting stories in the Bible about giving. In fact, someone said that Jesus spoke about wealth and finances more than He spoke about other subjects (I need to research that one for myself before I am convinced!). But it is true - He did say a lot about the topic of giving and wealth.

Remember the story of the rich young ruler? He had so much going for him, but when it came to parting with his possessions, he couldn't give them up. For me, I don't think that would be a problem - not because I am better than this young man, but because I don't have anything that is that nice. If the house burned down I would miss some things, but most need to be replaced anyway.

But I don't think it was about how good or great his possessions were - I believe it had to do with the giving part. You see, maybe he didn't have a problem with love for his possessions. Perhaps his issue was with having all of that money when he sold them, then having to turn around and give that money to poor people who never did anything in their lives to deserve it (and probably are just lazy). There is a sense we all have of doing what is "right," and this doesn't feel "right." Maybe if Jesus had said, "Put all of these poor people to work on your estate and pay them for the work that they do, and then come and follow Me," the story would have ended differently. But that's not what Jesus said.

What do you do when you see the man standing on the street corner with his hand-lettered sign. You've seen him there many times before, so you know that he is not just "trying to get enough money to get a bus ticket back home," even though that is what the sign says. Do you make a judgement and find him guilty? In your heart do you say, "He's not going to take advantage of me!"

You may be right. This man does not deserve a portion of your hard-earned cash. (I know what I am talking about, because I have had this conversation in my head many times!). There are two questions that have recently arisen in my mind. First, if this person is not deserving of my charity, do I go out and immediately look for someone that does deserve to be helped? If I have a few dollars to share, do I actively search for someone to help, or do I usually pocket the money for a rainy day? Second - what difference does it make if this man is really needing my money or he is just trying to scam me? There is the whole thing about "casting pearls before swine," but even if I know that he doesn't deserve to be helped, does that give me the excuse not to help him?

This is what I have been thinking about: I am the least deserving when it comes to salvation. I have turned my back on God so many times, misrepresented Him, and lived a life outside of the relationship that He wants to have with me. Even though I have been the enemy of God, it was at that time that He sent His Son to die for me. Even though God knew that I didn't deserve to have His love and forgiveness, that is when He gave it to me.

Don't get me wrong - I am not saying that the love of money is not a root of evil. But what is it about money that affects people, and what is the effect that occurs? Could it be that the people who have money (the amount is really immaterial) place themselves in a position of judging others, and, using the power that money gives, determines who gets and who doesn't get?

Remember the parable that Jesus told about the people working in the vineyard? The owner paid each person the same, no matter how long they had worked. The ones that had been there all day said that it wasn't fair. But it wasn't a matter of being fair - it was an issue of the one group judging the others and determining that they didn't deserve to get what they got.

I'm still thinking about this concept. I have to ask myself - what will be my reaction when I see the next person that doesn't deserve to receive my help? What will I do?

What would you do?

God bless you abundantly!

Apples

As I was crunching into an apple this morning, my mind started wandering through paths that I have not traveled in some time. You see, until recently I was not overly fond of apples. I think I remember liking them some when I was a kid, but over the years, for one reason or another, I fell out of "like" with them.

But this morning, while the sweet juice of the fruit was dripping down my chin, I was enthralled with the amazing flavor of the apple, and I began to cogitate on the deliciousness of my breakfast.

I couldn't help myself - I had to go to the Internet to find out more about this amazing treat. What I discovered was equally as amazing....

Apples were first recorded in history in an area between the Caspian Sea and the Black Sea - which now is around Iran and Russia. Apples were introduced to the Americas in the 1600s by European travelers. There are over 621 edible varieties in the United States (those are just the standard ones that are recorded - the estimate is more than a thousand throughout the world). China is the number one apple-producing nation -- the United States comes in second. Washington is the number one apple-producing state in America, with New York following closely behind. The number one variety grown in the U.S. (using 2003 statistics) is the Red Delicious. In 2002 the average American ate 15.8 pounds of fresh apples and 26.4 pounds of processed apples.

This I found really interesting: Planting a tree from a specific apple will not necessarily produce a tree of the same variety - it will be a cross of the tree that it was grown on and the variety that was the cross pollinator!

Finally, apples are a member of the rose family.

"Apple" or "apples" are mentioned only 11 times in the Bible (and no, one of those times is not in the Garden of Eden!). What is interesting is that 5 of those times refer to the "apple of his eye," or something similar to that. I was drawn to Psalm 17:8 -- "Keep me as the apple of Your eye; Hide me under the shadow of Your wings." David's prayer is that God will treat him special - protect him just like a person protects his eyes - just like one protects that which is precious to him.

Could it be that God loves apples as much as I do? Oh, I'm sure that He loves everything that He created - it was all good - but maybe there is something precious about the apple. Maybe He inspired Solomon, the wisest man to ever live, to associate words that are given at the right time with "apples of gold in settings of silver." (Proverbs 25:11)

I don't know how you feel about apples, but I do know how God feels about you. You see, God so loved the world that He gave His only Son to die that you might live. (John 3:16) Not only that, but He has prepared a place for you (John 14:1-3)- and there is a special tree that will grow 12 varieties of fruit - it's called the Tree of Life, and the leaves alone will have power enough to heal the nations.

I don't want to speculate, but do you think it could be possible that at least one of those fruits just might be an apple?

God bless you abundantly!

A Prescription for Pain

It's everywhere...

I'm talking about pain. Do you see it in the lives of people around you? It is the evidence of a world gone wild, a world filled with every symptom of sin, sin that is busily destroying lives. Any resemblance to the Eden home has become nothing more than a shadow. Oh, people try to find something good to hold on to. But the pain is always there, always dragging another person into its lair.

Someone's daughter is physically falling apart - doctors suspect multiple sclerosis. Someone's son is suffering the demons of depression. Someone's husband has left her for another. Someone is nearing the final stages of his life as he watches his bodily functions disintegrate in front of his eyes. Someone's mother has fallen and has a broken hip. Someone's friend is losing a son.

So many someones...

My heart goes out to these people, perhaps more so because I have experienced pain in my life. I feel like a medic on the battle field, dodging exploding shells as I try to reach as many injured and dying - trying to see if I can save at least one. You see, I have been the target of the enemy, and I have felt the pain of his darts. And I also know what it feels like to receive the salve of God's presence. While the pain may linger, just knowing that I am not alone is enough to help me hang on - even if it is just for a few more moments.

Jesus knows our pain - He has experienced it. He knows that the enemy would love to destroy us just to get at Him. But He also reminds us, "I have overcome the world." He didn't say that our pain would be removed. He didn't promise a bubble to live in that would separate us from the rest of the world. No, He said that we would have pain. But in spite of the pain, He would bring us peace. Peace through the storm, not apart from the storm.

Perhaps you are experiencing pain in your life. Odds are that you are either just getting over a painful period, just entering a time of pain, or will meet your own time of trial and pain in the near future. With the world the way it is, that would be a safe bet. And if you are in the midst of pain, what I have to say might seem superficial and patronizing. That's why I am not going to give my advice. All I can do is point you to the Person who came to me when I thought I couldn't take any more - when death would have been a welcome friend. When the pain was the most intense, that is when He held me most tightly in His arms.

So although pain is everywhere, God is there too. He says, "Let me go through this time with you - together we can survive everything that the devil will throw at us. And someday - oh, that glorious someday - all tears and pain will be wiped away forever!"

I am waiting for that day - it's coming soon!

God bless you abundantly!

Closer than you think...

I have a birthday coming up next month. That of itself is not unusual - most of us try to have at least one birthday each year (i.e., staying alive to see the next one is a great motivator, in spite of having to add a year on to the already growing number of years!). But what has continued to astound me is the fact that these "celebrations" seem to be coming sooner each year. It used to be that May was nearly a half of a year away, and I couldn't wait to grow a little bit older (yes, I was a child when I thought that way - we are not talking about recent history!). But now May seems to show up right after January!

I understand the whole thing about time going faster as you get older - a study that Einstein would have delved into more if he could have only found the time.... But what I wasn't prepared for was the tendency for those of us with more gray showing up in the hair (that hair that we still have) to forget that if time is passing by more quickly, that the events that herald the end of time are also coming at us in rapid fashion.

This is what I've heard: "Yes, there are some things that are happening in our world that could be perceived as a 'hastening' of the events of the last days, but we have seen these kind of things happen many times over the years." "Yes, it may appear to be that a lot of things are happening, but that is just because we now know everything that is happening all over the world. It's not that there are more events - it's just that we are more aware of them happening."

And I say - you're right! (you were expecting me to say the old folks were wrong?) On both accounts I think they are probably fairly accurate. We may be seeing a few more calamities in the world, and we may be hearing about more of them. That probably could explain part of what's going on.

But what is going on? Pull out your Bibles, blow off the dust if you need to, and turn to Matthew 24. Jesus was answering his disciples about the events that would occur in the last days (and also what would happen when the temple was going to be torn down). You will see in verse 4 that Jesus starts talking about how we need to be alert and not deceived. Verse 5 points out that there will be counterfeits, and verse 6 talks about the wars and news about wars. But what does it say in the last part? "See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet." Verse 7 covers some more scary things, but then verse 8 points out that "All these things are the beginning of sorrows."

My point is that these things - these events - are not what we will see at the very end. These are the beginnings, what would lead up to the end. But then the question is - what can we expect to see at the end, just before Christ comes again?

Verses 9 and 10 let us know that we will not always be viewed in a positive light - that Christians will be hated. Do you see that happening today? Verse 11 speaks of false prophets. Prophets were the ones that led the people in the direction that the nations needed to go. They were the political consultants for the kings and leaders. They were also the spiritual leaders of a nation. What are the prophets saying today?

Verse 12 says that because the law is not followed, that the love of many will grow cold. How else would you describe the time in which we are living?

Jump ahead to verse 27. Here's the good news: There won't be anyone saying, "Do you think that Jesus came?" No, as everyone can see the lighting when it flashes across the sky, so will the coming of the Son of Man be. I Thessalonians 4:16 says that the Lord will descend with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. Nothing quiet about that day!

Here's my point: We can speculate about whether we think we are truly living in the last days by looking at the events that are happening around us. One person can have one opinion while another takes the opposite view. Both could be wrong and right (not something that we are used to saying in our western minds, but bear with me for a moment). The fact is, these events are not dominoes that need to fall one by one before the end comes. You can quickly collapse the string of dominoes by starting at both ends along with multiple spots in the middle. No one said that it had to be done in a certain order. What it does say is that it will come "as a thief in the night." Not that it will be under cover of darkness, but as it says in I Thessalonians 5:3, "For when they say "Peace and safety!" then sudden destruction comes upon them as labor pains upon a pregnant woman."

You see, some will scoff and say that things are the same (2 Peter 3:3,4) while other will just want to hear comforting things (2 Timothy 4:3,4). But that won't change the truth, and when the time comes (and it will be sooner than we think, for God will cut the time short to save His people from the outcome of the great tribulation - Matthew 24:21,22), the end will come.

So it's up to us. We can say that we are going to wait and see, but that is not what Jesus admonishes us to do. He says to be ready - "Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not expect Him." (Matthew 24:44)

My birthday is coming up. I don't have much to do to get ready, but if there is something that I want to do before it gets here, I'd better get going, 'cause it's going to be here sooner than I think.

Jesus said that He is coming back to take us home. That day could be getting here soon. It's closer than you think....

God bless you abundantly!

Understanding God...

This may be more thought provoking than most of my blogs.... Or it may just be mindless drivel.... I will leave that up to you to decide.

I would be the last one to think of myself as an intellectual, although some have accused me of drifting over to the "pseudo-intelligent" category. It's not a matter of a lack of intelligence - God has blessed me with enough "smarts" to make it this far in life - it's more that my wisdom has been gained in the school of hard knocks. It's an excellent school, but one from which I doubt I will ever enjoy the pomp and circumstances of graduating. However, through it all I have had my share of "aha" moments, and what I want to discuss today is one of those epiphanies.

Before I go any further, let me say that it is very possible that you will say, "That's not anything new to me." I agree with Solomon - "there is nothing new under the sun." So this is not new, but just seen from an angle, a perspective, that I have only recently allowed myself to view.

I've been thinking about God. I realize that God is God, and He can do whatever He wants. But something in my mind tells me that God wants to be understood. I can fully relate to that, because in my job I am so often misunderstood. It would be such a blessing if someone could see my actions and connect my true intentions - but that is asking too much (I realize that even as I ache when my actions are despised and I am touted as an ogre). If it affects me that much, how does God feel?

The Bible makes it clear that God is the same, yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 12:8). While some of you may say, "Wait, that refers to Jesus Christ," let me remind you that Jesus Himself pointed out that He and His Father were One (start reading in John 14 and you will find multiple verses to support that thought). So the Old Testament God is essentially the same One who said, "All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out." (John 6:37)

And if the Old Testament God is not a God who forced His people to worship Him (on threat of death, as it seems in many cases), how do I reconcile the stories that I have heard for so many years? How do I lovingly interact with a God who killed off nations just because they stood in the way of the Israelites?

I have to go back to the beginning. What was God's intention in creating us? How could a God who can see the end from the beginning (Isaiah 46:9,10) make children that He knew would turn their backs on Him? How could He look forward and see the evil that would abound and not flinch when He breathed into Adam the breath of life?

I think our view of God has been too limited. We have attempted to put Him into a box - whether it is a box titled "Tyrant" or a box called "Meek and Mild." But I believe that He is neither. I have to come back to the question, "Why?"

The best explanation I can come up with centers on a trek by a father and son up the mountain. The father was heartbroken because he knew that he was going to sacrifice his son. As much as he hated the thought of doing it, he couldn't conceive of not obeying - not doing what God had asked him to do. As it says in Hebrews 11, "By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac...."

And I see God standing in the wings saying, "Do you see that this story is representing me? I am the One that is giving up my Son - except there is no angel that is going to stop the hand that will nail Him to a cross. Just like Abraham doing this because it was the right thing to do (obeying), I am doing this because it is the only thing that My loving nature will allow. You may judge me by your human standards, but My standard is all about love and redemption. And this is the only way that I can bring My children back into a relationship with Me forever."

It may not be a new concept for you. But I believe that we are living in an age when people will again misunderstand the acts of God. When the comforts of this life are washed away, when the lives of friends and families are snuffed out, when the world is falling apart at the seams, will people see God as a loving Creator, or as a beast that wants to destroy? Will we be able to look beyond the now to realize that God is standing up to take those who have chosen to be His children to the home that He has prepared for them?

I pray that my faith will go beyond my sight, and that I will never give up on the God I have learned to love even when He is putting me through trials - even if it costs me my life or the life of my friends and family. Because I believe that God will still - today - do whatever it takes to return us to His original plan of having His family back together. And the enemy will never again take His children from His grasp!

God bless you abundantly!

Just Part of the Body

The tightness in my chest when I breathe is getting better. No, I didn't have a heart attack, but this flu certainly set me back a bit. I'm tired of coughing, I'm tired of the nagging headache, and I'm really tired - just plain tired - of being tired all of the time.

Fortunately I was going to take some days off to spend time with family over the Spring break, so I am not missing any any work that I was planning to do. But I did have plans to do things other than lie in bed and cough....

Of course, with all of this time to do nothing, I tried to think. Thinking is difficult for me even when I am not sick, so it was a struggle to get anywhere with my train of thought (that was supposed to be a pun, in case you were wondering). Because my mind was so filled with my condition, I remembered something in 1 Corinthians 12. Verse 26 says, "If one member suffers, all the members suffer with it..."

I certainly agree with that. Even my muscles - even the ones that are not directly involved with my incessant coughing - are aching with this illness. While the primary area attacked is the lungs, the rest of the body didn't get off without some negative impact.

That is the way it is with God's people. If something happens to one, it affects all. Whether it is something to rejoice about or something that brings pain, we all share in it. That is the way it is supposed to be. It's not just that we feel the pain, we also share the burden of the pain.

I have felt that, especially when I have been in the "valley of the shadow." What I have felt is the support that comes from the rest of the "body," and the promise that we will go through it all together. That is what has been such a blessing with the Prayers of Faith - each part supporting the whole .

I don't know what is going to happen this week, but I am assured that no matter what occurs, there will be a hundred people that are committed to supporting the rest of the body with their prayers.

You know, I'm feeling better already!

God bless you abundantly!

A Gathering of Friends...

Today I was blessed...

I often feel that I am blessed, so feeling blessed was not something that I felt was unusual. The time spent, however, was not something that I usually do, so that part was unusual.

Are you confused yet?

Today I was able to spend time with friends that I had not connected with for probably 19 years. They came to visit some of our mutual friends, and my wife and I were invited to share lunch with them. We enjoyed food and fellowship and laughter as we remembered things that had lain dormant in our minds for many years. We shared what had occurred in our lives since we had been together, and marveled at how God had led us down various paths.

The best thing was that our growing relationships with God monopolized our discussions! We rejoiced in victories and empathized with each other for those times when we struggled. We reconnected on levels that only believers can understand. And we yearned for that day when Christ will come to redeem us and take us home.

And I thought - we are all members of a displaced family. We live in a world that is not now our home. We travel roads that take us places that are not where we desire to be. We are thrown into situations that are foreign to us - dealing with a world that is so different from our dreams. And when we meet up with our "family" we connect with kindred spirits that are seeking a new home just like we are.

That's what I felt when I spent time with old friends today. But I also felt that when I spent time with new friends in Saipan. I made connections with people I had never met before and felt like we were long lost friends. The times we shared then were equally as amazing as the hours that rushed by today.

Suddenly I realize that I can't wait to meet all of my friends! I want to go home - to my real home - and be with those who have shared this journey, even though I was not able to walk by their sides. I want to throw my arms around friends who struggled just like I did and were victorious through their connection with our Saviour. Most of all, I can't wait to fall before my Lord, tears streaming down my cheeks in gratitude for the love that He has put in my heart, and thank Him for giving me a chance to hang out with all of my friends for eternity!

You are my friend. As you read this, know that I am praying for you. I can't wait to meet you, to stand by your side, to share joy and laughter for an eternity of amazing celebrations that our God is planning for us.

Will you accept the invitation and be there with me?

God bless you abundantly!

A Cat's Life

It's obvious that there is no shortage of cats around our place. Even now I see one perched on the railing, looking through the window and wondering why I am sitting here instead of feeding him. We actually started out with one cat, who had some kittens (but only one of those remains). The rest of the "tribe" showed up from wherever cats come from and seemed to feel that this was as good of a place as any to get a meal.

Usually there are nine cats waiting at this time of day outside of the sliding glass door....

They are outdoor cats, mostly because of allergies (they don't seem to be allergic to us, but some of us don't fare so well when they are in the house!). But once in a while the original cat slips in, and I don't have the heart to put her out.

That's what happened last night. When I opened the door, Maddie leaped over the other cats and was suddenly an indoor cat. I poured her a small bowl of cat food, and she settled down to a peaceful supper.

I was busy working on finding verses for this week's Prayers of Faith when Maddie came over to socialize. She perched on the back of the couch behind my head and purred while I looked through my Bibles. She was content just to sit there and enjoy the closeness.

And I thought - that is how I want to be with God. I want to be so comfortable with Him that I can come into His presence at any time, any place, and just forget about the cold reception that the world sometimes gives me, or the problems that I have to deal with every day, or the challenges that lay just beyond tomorrow.

That's when I smiled. I already have that! God has given me a special time that He has set aside for me to just rest in Him. I don't have to stress over the past or worry over the future. I can completely trust in Him to take care of everything.

It's true that I can (and do) go to Him at any time, but He has set aside a special day just dedicated to hanging out with Him. I always know that I can have that 24 hour period of time that is totally dedicated to renewing my friendship with Him and my fellow man. I don't even have to sneak in or jump over any other cats to get to Him - He actually welcomes me and holds the door open for me.

It can be pretty tough outside for the cats. It gets cold sometimes, and there are the wild animals and the cars and lots of things that could hurt the cats. But Maddie wasn't thinking of those things last night. Last night she was just happy to be with the family that loves her.

And I am thankful to have this special day with my Savior!

God bless you abundantly!

You Put This Love in my Heart....

It's a song that Keith Green wrote some years ago that continues to course through my brain. While it has been there resting comfortably for some time, it was awakened to my conscious thought during my recent trip to Saipan. I had been asked to present a week of prayer and spiritual emphasis to a group of students, ranging from preschool up through the 10th grade. Reaching a group that was so diverse in age was a challenge, and yet my primary concern was reaching these students that were diverse in their cultures and backgrounds. It was actually during a discussion with one of these students that the song was brought to the forefront of my mind.

"J" is a young man of probably 11 or 12 years of age, but his intellengence far exceeds his chronological age. He is what many would call a free thinker, and he is honest enough with himself not to be swayed by what others are saying or thinking. He is committed to studying the issues through for himself before he will take a stand for one side or the other.

He considers himself an atheist.

He came to me and said, "Pastor, isn't there a verse that says that a person should love his brother if he is to show that he loves God?" I nodded and showed him I John 4:8 - "The person who refuses to love doesn't know the first thing about God because God is love - so you can't know Him if you don't love." (Message) He was quiet for a bit, then said, "What about all those people who say that they are Christians and yet hate and kill others because they are different or don't believe in the same way that the Christians do?"

I paused. The Lord reminded me of a text in Matthew 7. I said, "J, it seems to me that something might be wrong if a person says that he is a Christian but doesn't demonstrate the one thing that is supposed to differentiate a Christian from the rest of the world. Jesus knew that there would be people like that - some who from the outside would look so much like the real thing that most people couldn't tell the difference. But there is a very big difference." I turned to verses 21 through 23: "Not everyone who says to Me 'Lord, Lord' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of my Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?'" I paused and said, "Doesn't it look like these people have the power of God working in their lives to do all of theses miracles and wonderful things?" J nodded his head. I said, "But wait - there's more."

"And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.'"

J paused, and I could see that he was wondering what it all meant. I remembered Romans 13:10. "Listen to this: 'Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.'"

I could see the light dawning. "So you see, those people who were doing all of the miracles never had developed a love relationship with God, because that is the source of our love for each other. Without that, they couldn't fulfill the law, because for the law to be truly complete, it has to be lived through love. So just because a person says that he is a Christian doesn't necessarily mean that he has a relationship - a love relationship - with God or his fellow man."

J nodded his head. I could tell he wanted to think about this for a while. I too wanted to dwell on this thought, because so many times in my life I had "played" Christian without allowing the love of God to transform me. And I knew what that felt like. Praise God, I also knew what it felt like to have the love bubbling up through me and all over anyone who happened to be nearby!

And that is when the song came to my mind: "You Put This Love in my Heart." I was reminded again that I loved J and all of the other kids that I had barely met, yet would always have a spot in my heart. I knew that God had a special place in His heart for these young men and women, and that He would do anything to bring them into that special relationship with Him. They truly were worth dying for.

J is still thinking. Perhaps his heart is being warmed by the love of God.

I can't wait to spend eternity with him!

God bless you abundantly!

141 hours, 3 minutes...

...But who's keeping track....

If, as the Bible says, we are blessed with 70 years of life (Psalm 90:10), that would mean we would experience 613,200 hours. That's not too many, when you think about it. To achieve the magical number of one million, a person would have to live for over 114 years.

Put that way, it makes the U. S. deficit seem to be considerable....

But I'm not talking about a cash shortage. I'm referring to the amount of time until I board a plane to go to Saipan. The Lord has opened doors for me to bring a message of love and trust to a group of kids at a Christian school half a world away. I will spend a week of my life with them, sharing the most important thing on earth - a relationship with my Savior.

I feel like I am so unworthy. True, I want more than anything to be able to tell what my Lord has done for me - but there are so many others who have their story to tell. So why did the Lord pick me? Right now I may not know, but someday - whether on this earth or in heaven - I will know.

There may be some gaps in the Prayers of Faith that I send out - I'm not sure what access I will have to computers and the Internet - but I am sure that you will understand. I am also sure that I will be able to rely on you all praying for me.

If I may be so bold, could you pray for these things while I am gone? First, pray for the teachers at the school. Teachers often have the most thankless jobs, and can do the most positive good for our children. While I may fly in and out with a message of hope for the kids, it will be the task of the teachers to carry the message throughout the year. My heart aches for those teachers - Lord, please bless them.

Second, pray for the students. These kids, ranging from preschool to high school, come from such a variety of backgrounds and ethnic differences. Their training is as varied as the color of their skin, and yet they all need to feel love and acceptance. Most importantly, they need to feel God's arms of love around them, and to know that He will never leave them nor forsake them. Father, please bless them.

Third, I ask that you pray for these parents. For many, their association with this school is the only formal interaction with Christians they have. Having a strange American man coming to speak to their children could be threatening. Teaching their children to trust a God they don't know could be seen unfavorably. Only God can change their hearts - Lord, please bless these dear parents.

140 hours and 31 minutes now.... There is so much that I need to do to get ready. I have my list, and I'm checking it off as I complete each task. I just hope that I don't forget anything.

I wonder... How many hours until Jesus comes? Have I made a list so I am prepared for that trip as well?

How about you?

God bless you abundantly!

It's Time to Let Go...

I guess it happens to all of us at some point in our lives. And none of us is proud to admit to it. The problem is, it hangs on to us, digging its claws into our flesh like the stray cat I was so unfortunate to pick up a couple weeks ago. And the scars that cat left on my arm are very similar to the ones that this leaves on our hearts.

I'm talking about holding a grudge.

You know, that time when someone that you thought you could trust did something so horrible to you that you can never forget or forgive. When your best friend went behind your back and told other people that which you thought you had shared in confidence. When people laughed at you because of something you had done, and there was only one person who was privy to that event in your life. All fingers pointed to that "friend" betraying you. And you vowed that you would never forgive.

Even now, as I described the attributes of this attitude, I saw in myself some of the very things that I was describing. Honestly, there are people in my past that I have no desire to contact because when they learned of my failures (and these were legitimate failures, for sure!), they laughed at me. And only one person had known of my "human-ness."

It's time for me to let it go.

I'm sure that if my "friend" was contacted, he would have a hard time remembering the incident (it was 35 years ago!). What he told others no longer is a part of his life - to him I am sure it was just a funny story, a chance to make some people laugh. If I saw those people they might remember the story, but in no way has it affected their lives.

My point is, I am the only one that this "insult" has affected. The fact that I remember this event after 35 years and the fact that I have no desire to reconnect with high school friends because of my fear of - of what? That they might laugh? That they might talk behind my back? That they might decide that they don't want to be my best friend? All of those fears just reinforce the truth that my little grudge did no good to anyone, and did damage only to me.

It's like that cat. It shows up about the time I am feeding our cats, and as long as I don't pick it up, it is fine hanging around our house. But if I pick it up, only then will it put all of its efforts into hurting me. And the longer I hold on, the more damage I receive. When I let go, the cat is just fine. I'm the one that is left bleeding.

Do you get my point? Hanging on to grudges, remembering past pains that others have inflicted on us, dwelling on how others have betrayed us - all of those things will never affect others as much as it will hurt us.

Jesus had Roman soldiers who were doing actual, physical damage to Him, and His response was to pray, "Father, forgive them, because they don't know what they are doing." When Stephen was being stoned, he cried out, "Lord, do not charge them with this sin." And I have the audacity to hang on to a perceived threat against my character?

It's time to let go.

God bless you abundantly!

Early Morning Musings...

It's strange to see the clock in the corner saying it's 2:22 a.m. My mind keeps telling me that I am supposed to be asleep in my bed, but my heart won't let me rest. Thoughts fly around freely, flitting from one topic to another, without form or even function. They're just thoughts, random and often not even significant, but occasionally one lands that grabs my attention and gives me some substance on which to chew.

I question myself - am I worried? Am I concerned? Am I afraid? I can't actually say that I am any of those. While it's hard to describe, I guess the best I could say is that I am contemplative. Even while I write that I feel it gives me more credit than I deserve. But it's close....

What occupies my mind so early in the morning? My children always are in my thoughts. Perhaps this is another opportunity for me to raise them again up to God and offer their lives to Him, not unlike Job did for his kids. They too have their contemplative times, and their trials, and their joys. Lord, please bless them today.

My wife, who has been my support and strength through so many trials, is on my heart. She has given so much of herself for others, and strives so hard to be a light shining for her Father in Heaven. Oh God, bless her and fill her with peace as she sleeps.

I think of my parents. I love them and need to connect with them more to let them know how I feel. Lord, be with them today.

I think of each person on the Prayers of Faith list. I pray for them and thank God for them. They have given me such joy as I have seen their prayers unite together to move mountains and their faith in our Father transform lives beyond my belief. Lord, please come into their lives today and bless them.

I am reminded of the families in Saipan, those whom I will be with in less than 3 weeks. The children at the school have been on my heart so much these last few weeks, and I have prayed that the Holy Spirit will prepare both my mouth and them to receive the message that comes from God. I am amazed that I have this opportunity to share what is bubbling over in my heart, and praise God for His goodness in giving me this chance to let my light so shine. Abba, Father - bless this upcoming Week of Prayer.

My work flies through my thoughts - deadlines and challenges and most importantly, people. Lord, You know the hurting, damaged lives that are out there - ones that the devil is systematically destroying. How it pains me to see what is happening to them - how it must kill You! Do you ever look down at the scars in Your hands and wish that Your children could fully understand what You have done for them? Lord, send Your Holy Spirit to guide them as they sleep, and draw them with Your everlasting love today.

So many more things bounce across the synapses of my brain. Friends, both old and new, flash through my thoughts. Where are they? More importantly, where are they in their relationship with You? Do they also look at the events that surround them and see the culmination of this earth's history, like a locomotive racing to its final stop? Have they taken the time to refresh the only relationship that really matters for eternity? Father, I cry out to you for my friends!

My Bible is at my side, and I turn the pages to familiar friends - those passages that have comforted me on so many occasions. I am guided to Psalm 121. My eyes pause on verses 3 and 4: "He will not allow your foot to be moved; He who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, He who keeps Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep."

It comforts me to know that I am not the only person who is awake....

He also comforts me with verses 7 and 8: "The LORD shall preserve you from all evil; He shall preserve your soul. The LORD shall preserve your going out and your coming in from this time forth, and even forevermore."

I claim this promise for all of my family and friends.

I am so blessed!

God bless you abundantly!