Feeling Alone

It is amazing that in a country with so many people, someone can truly feel alone. Is it because they isolate themselves? No. For many, they can be alone in a crowd because no one sees them. Maybe a spouse has been talked down to so often that they don’t see they have value. No one seems to understand or encourage them. They feel alone. Then there is the child that has all sorts of gadgets (or maybe just a phone). Their parents are content to let them entertain themselves, but there is no real interaction. That child may be free to do as they please but still feel alone. You have the worker in the factory or be part of the office team, but you arrive, do your job, and leave, wondering if anyone would even notice if you didn’t show up. Alone. You might be a shut in from a church, but over time, they have forgotten about you. No phone call. No visit. No card. Alone. There’s the kid that doesn’t fit in, the individual with disabilities, the person who lost everything through rough circumstances... all alone. I’m not saying that anyone of us can make it all right. Some “imprisonments” are of their own doing. What I am saying is that maybe we can make a difference in the life of just one of them. God talks about a shepherd and his sheep. As believers, we are called to be both shepherd and sheep. Sheep in need of the care of the Good Shepherd, Jesus Christ. A shepherd, in obedience to God, that takes care of his children... ministering to those in church but also reaching out to the lost souls seeking a better way. One of today’s readings talked about God Himself coming to take care of His people... as a shepherd cares for his sheep. Jesus is talking about restoring them and bringing them back to himself. He speaks of ruling in justice, punishing the sheep who make it harder on all the others... who only look after their own wants. The one’s that push and shove, seeking their own way at all costs will surely face God’s judgement. When He spoke of bringing the sheep home, He included all those that were or felt alone. When life runs you over and everything seems so unfair, remember that the Good shepherd sees you... you are not alone... He comforts his own. Father, in the midst of a world that seems to be marching to a different tune, fill our hearts with a song of hope and praise. Amen

Now Is the Time to Act

I went to the dentist recently to get a filling redone. I informed him that I don’t respond as quickly to the pain killer as most and asked if he could give me the shot for pain about ten to twenty minutes before he was ready to begin. He gave me the one shot and left for about 10 minutes. When he came back, I told him that it was working, but I needed a little more time for the pain killer to kick in. He went ahead and gave me a second shot, I assume because he thought my body was resisting it and not delaying its effectiveness. Although it seemed to take longer than normal, the drilling and the new filling went great without any pain. I was told to wait until the numbness wore off before eating. Usually about a half hour is enough to go back to normal. On this particular day, it was a little over four hours before the numbness went away. During that time, I must have bitten my lip. There was a big white “blister” and my lip looked as if I had been in a fight. It still isn’t healed, but it is starting to look better. The longer my mouth stayed numb, the more likely I would do more damage. We live in a world where many people are walking through life numb to the things around them. They get accustomed to sin and worldly desires. They reach a point that breaking God’s law is no longer a concern for them. Why is this a problem? They like following the ways of the world because they feel they can avoid having to be responsible before God. You see, the longer we stay in this numb condition, the more damage will be done to us spiritually and the harder it will be to recover. I am thankful that I didn’t do more than bite myself. I could have caused some damage that would have been hard to repair. I know the danger of being numb too long... both physically and spiritually. We need to live our faith without outside influences. We cannot be faithful to God and live comfortably in the world. We must pursue godliness and avoid sin, for it separates us from that intimacy with God... it numbs us to the will of God and blinds us to God’s call for us. What are the things in your life that make you numb to the truth and power of God’s word. Surrender that to God. Let Him change you from within and fill you with life once again. Lord, I want my days to be full of life and purpose... Your purpose. That is only possible when You lead me. Amen

Still Mourning the Loss

By now, many of you have heard the weeping around the world at the loss of Charlie Kirk. Whether you like his views or detest them, everyone that is honest must admit that he brought dialogue into a world that is separated. Did he try to influence people to think as he did. Without a doubt. Did he try to silence those that disagreed? No. He welcomed honest debate and exchange of ideas. People accused him of trying to manipulate youth who didn’t have the skills to stand against him. He invited these students to bring their professors with to present their ideas. On many occasions, he silenced the crowds to allow the speakers to make their point. So, do I mourn the loss of a great debater and one who facilitated the exchange of ideas? That is indeed a great loss. I think the reason I mourn Charlie Kirk’s death so deeply is that he represented hope, going to the masses and having an honest exchange of ideas. At the heart of what He shared was his incredible love of Jesus. If Charlie could tell us what he thought of all our discussions, I think he would say far too many of them focused on him. He would have us turn our eyes to One who came to rescue us from sin... Jesus. I have been moved by how many people around the world have been influenced by Charlie’s ministry. My greatest desire is that we would not forget what he stood for and his deep love for those around him. Let us keep discussing ideas in the market-place and not remain silent. Let us be unafraid to stand up for what God’s word teaches, even if the world doesn’t understand. The thing that has saddened me most are those that laugh and rejoice at his death. I think it says much more about their hearts and lack of compassion. He was called every derogatory name and yet when challenged, there was never proof. I wept, not because he was a great friend, but because he was doing more to open dialogue without name calling than anyone else I know. I am sad for his wife and two kids who have lost him way too soon. This may sound insensitive, but I am not sad for Charlie Kirk. Why? I read once that true Christians never die... they just change their address. Father, thank you for sending this faithful servant. Open doors for continued dialogue with those we disagree with. Help us to love. Amen

A Day to Remember

Many teenagers today have no recall of the events of 9/11 when the Trade Towers fell. There was a vow made by many not to forget, but I wonder, have forgotten already? Are we in a better place now to stop a similar attack if it happened? Do we thank God for the brave men and women that ran into the building to rescue people, even after they saw the one building collapse. I think about how many people are living in our country that we have no idea who they are. We want to be welcoming as a nation, but we are losing our identity, as many people have not taken classes to become citizens. What are we meant to remember? ... those that died? Yes. I think of greater importance is remembering that we, as a nation, are partially responsible. Because of our ideology? Not really. Every nation has differing ways of thinking. Then what? We need to remember that if we don’t have Jesus, we have nothing. A great nation without Jesus is just a momentary happiness that will end far worse than the Trade Center collapse. If we cease to be one nation under God, I fear that we will be one nation that has gone under. Remembering those that lost their lives shows great compassion, but remembering our failure to trust God is of much greater benefit because that has eternal consequences. As I remember the lives that were lost, a very haunting concept fills my mind and heart... how many of those that died had a living faith in Jesus? In other words, how many entered God’s kingdom of glory and how many didn’t make it. This isn’t a judgement. On any given day, there are hundreds that will be found guilty and condemned to hell. I heard a girl recently that had lost a brother due to a violent attack. At the funeral, a minister of the Word told her, “Don’t let his death be in vain!” Don’t spend your days looking back and reliving the event over and over again. At the funeral, use this moment to encourage people to be prepared. As she was given a platform with the media, she had the opportunity to plant seeds of hope for a world filled with the love of Jesus. She had an opportunity impact the lives of others. With 9/11, we also have such an opportunity. As people speak of the events of that day, don’t let their deaths be in vain. Proclaim the true hope - Jesus. Father, it grieves me to think of all the lives lost through ungodly acts. Stir in us the ability and passion to prepare the world for You. Amen

We Need to Be More Like Jehoshaphat

Part of a study today was on 2 Chronicles 20. Jehoshaphat was a godly king. He got word that a great army was coming against him. What did he do? Call up his own army? Start strategizing? No. He went to seek God’s direction. The people that were coming against him were the very ones God had told King Jehoshaphat not to destroy. We read, “See how they are repaying us by coming to drive us out of the possession you gave us as an inheritance. O our God, will you not judge them? For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon you.” They had vowed, before this attack seemed imminent, that they would stand before the temple that bares God’s name and trust Him. We are told that men, wives, children, and little ones stood before the Lord. God’s answer was not that He would empower them to beat the enemy, but that they should take their positions, stand firm, and watch God bring the victory. As they prepare to march toward this massive army coming to destroy them, did the king really believe God’s promise or did he see it a pep talk to prepare them. The army that marched toward battle did not come in military might. King Jehoshaphat put a choir to lead that army with songs of praise and worship. They watched God give them the victory. Read 2 Chronicles to see the rest of the story. Do we have that faith? If you were in Jehoshaphat’s shoes (or sandals), would you be seeking choir members or would you be desperately seeking more able fighting personal? Would your heart be rejoicing in what God was going to do, or would you be in terror wondering what the enemy would do to you? We need to call on God to strengthen our faith and equip us for the battles that we will undoubtedly face in the future. If you sense God calling you, are you stepping out in faith, confident that God will provide or are you looking for someone else to do what God called you to do? Whatever your skill and whatever your call is, face it like Jehoshaphat - seek the Lord in prayer, declare your dependence on God, and then lift your voice in praise. Then go forth. Father, we often fall short of the faith Jehoshaphat had. We get overwhelmed by the enemy. Fill our hearts with praise. Amen

A Closer Examination

I had a dental check-up today. I was braced for getting x-rays, which I hate. Thankfully, that will be my next visit. I had a wonderful talk with the dental assistant. Conversation got tough at times because there was always a dental tool in mouth during the exam. I mentioned that I had a tooth that had become very sensitive lately. She looked at it closely but wasn’t sure what exactly caused the sensitivity. She cleaned and polished everything so that it was ready for the dentist to see. He looked at the same tooth and thought he could see some issues with the filling in the tooth which was probably put in there in the 70's. He figured that the filling would have to be drilled out, cleaned up, and then refilled. He was confident that it would solve my sensitivity issues. What the assistant couldn’t see, the dentist seemed confident of the solution. Only time will tell. We have someone else that sees us more clearly than we can. I am not talking about our spouse or a dear friend. I am clearly referring to Jesus. With the sore tooth, I couldn’t fix it myself. I needed to depend on the expert, the dentist. Likewise, I sometimes find there is sin hidden in my heart that I am not always readily aware of for which I need the expert, Jesus, to remove. I can often hide it from the world and even friends, but it lays bare before my Father in heaven. I can either struggle with my relationship with God or allow Him to cleanse me from all unrighteousness. Some of the words from the hymn, “Search Me O Lord” fit this concept. “Search me, O God, and know my heart today; try me, O Savior, know my thoughts, I pray. See if there be some wicked way in me; cleanse me from ev'ry sin and set me free.” The second verse also says, “I praise Thee, Lord, for cleansing me from sin; fulfill Thy Word and make me pure within. Fill me with fire where once I burned with shame; grant my desire to magnify Thy name.” The hunger for a pure walk with God and a complete submission to His authority over my life drive me to open my heart fully to God that He might cleanse me and fill that void with His holy fire. My sin drives me to Christ, and my love drives me to be merciful to those around me. Father, cleanse me from all unrighteousness, fill me with Your presence, and direct my heart to do Your will. Amen

Are We Available

I remember when I started serving in my first parish, I was tied to my notes. When I would prepare for preaching, I had to have every detail written down. This would frustrate me at times, because when talking with people before the service, I might find things that really fit the message, but I had no way of including them... after all, it wasn’t in the notes. I always wanted to get away from my notes but, as long as they were nearby, I still depended on them. One Sunday, in my haste to make it to the second church that I served, I forgot my sermon. There wasn’t enough time to get the notes before the service. The phones weren’t fancy enough to take a picture of them and pass it on. What could I possibly do? Well, I had studied the text. I knew the basic outline of what I was going to preach. I had no choice. I prayed, maybe with a little more urgency, and began the worship. When it was time to deliver the message, it seemed to flow beautifully. I still continue to pray, study the text, and have a definite direction for the message, but I rarely preach from notes. The times I do, I feel as if it either comes across disingenuous or, because I have written so many ideas down that the message gets way too long or technical. Today was such a day. Did I say anything false? Not that I know of. Did I include the parts I wanted to present? Of course... after all, I did write it. Did it flow as smoothly as I would have wanted? Nowhere near! I think that I was afraid of being tired from the picnic worship from yesterday that I felt I needed notes. Do I fault someone who only preaches from notes? Not at all. Everyone has a different way that God uses them. We need to know our limitation, but we need to know our God even more clearly. I can’t spend my days wishing I was like someone else. I just need to be available to be used by God. Are there ways God has used you to share His word with others in the past? As you continue to share with others, you will discover your gifts and style. Being available is not being so set on what we want or how we think things should go that we miss His leading and fall short of His call for us. Father, Show us where our weaknesses are and how to overcome them. Help me not seek what’s comfortable, but what’s right. Amen

A Day of Worship

Calling all churches. Calling all members. Calling are seekers. Today was our picnic worship day. We had no idea how it would turn out. Would there be more than a handful of people? There were huge tents, bathrooms, a food tent, items for sale, and some ministries represented. Sound checks were done and we waited. A few people started to come in and set up their chairs. Then a few more. By the end of the day, about 400 people came plus another 30 or so volunteers. The music groups did well, a great message filled the place with a guest pastor, and I believe God was indeed glorified. At the end, as we were cleaning up, my wife asked, “What do you see? What do you notice?" We looked where the 400 hundred people had been sitting and all we saw was grass... no cans, papers, straws, programs, water bottles, etc. When is the last time you have seen that many people leave the grounds spotless. I saw many churches and pastors represented there. I heard that many people wanted to grow deeper in their relationship. It was a success! I’m not talking about patting ourselves on the back, but that God is to be glorified. The goal was to bring churches together... check; glorify God... check; and reach a segment not regularly in church... I believe that was also a check. What’s left to do? Pray! Pray that the seeds (good news) that were planted in the hearts of people would grow and bring forth good fruit. Pray for wisdom for those that review what worked and didn’t work so that future concerts can be improved (not sure how though). Pray for leadership if this is meant to be the start of an amazing outreach and evangelism. Pray for the ability to equip other communities to use this as a blueprint for similar concerts. Praise God for the generosity of so many people before, during, and after the program. Pray for other ways that we might impact our communities for Christ and put a call on the hearts of those that will, through God’s leading, bring it to fruition. Who would have thought that an idea God put in the heart of one man could bring about such an amazing outcome. The answer is clearly God. He is not done yet! Whether there is concert next year, or not, God will still call all the faithful. Father, we thank and praise You for such an amazing day and a great time for worship. Continue to lead us in faithful outreach. Amen

Pass It On

The other day I was going to barbeque some food. It always adds a little variety to the flavor. I like to use charcoal for the heat source. When I am ready to start, I don’t pour starter fluid on the charcoal. Instead, I stack it up in a metal “chimney”, put some news paper underneath it, and make sure the bottom briquettes begin to heat up. As heat rises, the bottom pieces start the piece on top of itself. The more that get ignited, the hotter it gets, and the quicker the rest of the charcoal begins to glow red. Once they are hot, I pour them out on the grates at the bottom of the grill, spread them out, and I am ready to go. When the charcoal is burning pure, it generates the heat without the smoke. However, when grease from the burgers drip onto the coals, it creates a wonderful flavor, but also a strong smokey exhaust. I couldn’t help but look at pure coals and see how they should represent the Christian family. Just as the coal does not self-ignite, so we are unable to generate that true glow without outside help. Jesus is the fire that should be burning in our hearts. One will not glow with the Spirit of God within us unless we submit ourselves to Him. Once ignited, those around begin to be affected by its warmth. Like that charcoal, we don’t need a separate match for each coal. That heat is passed from one to the other. Even though we all need God’s word to burn in our hearts, if we take the great commission seriously to go and make disciples of all nations, we see the call to pass it on. I want to share a verse of one of the songs I love, “It only takes a spark to get a fire going, and soon all those around can warm up in its glowing; That's how it is with God's Love, once you've experienced it, you spread the love to everyone

You want to pass it on.” The more coal in the grill, the hotter things get, but as the song states, it only takes a spark to get the fire going. Even if everyone else is unwilling to go with you, it is important to recognize that you are to be instruments to carry God’s word... His love... His spirit. Do feel the warmth of God’s presence when you gather for worship? If not, are you on fire when you arrive, and do you encourage others to grow in His warmth? His fire never dies. Lord, I want to burn brightly for You. Fill me with the warmth of Your love and the fire of Your word. Help me to pass it on. Amen

To God Be the Glory

Philippians chapter 4 is an amazing chapter of hope. In verse 4 Paul tells us to rejoice in the Lord always. Paul has had some tough times, and he is excited to see the concern that the Philippians have for him, yet he doesn’t begin with that thought. He wants us to rejoice, but not for what we have or have done, but to rejoice in the Lord and the hope that is ours through Him. Then he goes on to tell them that the Lord was near and that they shouldn’t be anxious about anything but with prayer and petition, they were to let their requests be known to God. We can trust God to do what is right and good in His eyes. In leaning on God, we can trust that He will give us a peace and that our hearts and minds will not be filled with worries or worldly thinking, but our hearts and minds will be guarded by Christ. Along with not worrying, he instructs the Philippians to focus on whatever is true, noble, and right. Then Paul talks about his heart rejoicing as they renew their concern for him in a tangible way. It is about their opportunity and privilege to give, for the Lord loves a cheerful giver and it is an act of worship on our part. No, Paul isn’t looking for handouts because he knows what it is like to have plenty and barely enough. Paul’s confidence? I can do all things through Christ, who gives me strength. We read in Philippians 4:18-19, “I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” Notice he isn’t focused on what he has been given. He points out that their gift may have benefitted him, but even more than that, they are a wonderful gift acceptable to God. Then, as if that wasn’t enough, he blesses them, telling them that God will meet all their needs, not out of obligation, but according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus. God is indeed gracious and merciful. Then the beautiful verse, 20, “To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” There is so much going on in this chapter, but the great parting thought or direction is to give God the glory now and forever. Who have you been living for... yourself or others? Praise be to God. Father, to You be the glory, and honor, and praise. You spoke and all things came into being. You alone are our hope and salvation. Amen

Being Prepared

There is going to be an outdoor worship in McAllister this Saturday. I know the person that God gave this call to. It is intended both to pull churches together in worship and to plant seeds in the hearts of those they may not be in a church. It is not a call for any one church to benefit from the gathering, but to encourage people to grow in their faith. The focus? - “To God Be the Glory”. There will be a new group/individual playing each hour with some sharing in between. Many people will see a concert and maybe have some questions about parking, seating etc., but few will understand that this concert has been over a year in the making. There has been constant building, calling, painting, meetings, and preparation. We have no idea who will be there, but our prayer is that God will direct the hearts of individuals who will benefit. The advertising has been amazing. Last minute projects are being done and weather permitting, all things will be ready to go. My hope was to encourage us to be prepared. I understand that some things are spontaneous, which fits my personality, but the need to be prepared knowledge-wise, spiritually, and prayer cover (that the Holy Spirit to prepare hearts to receive). If going to church, pray for God to speak, ears to hear the message through word and music, and God’s direction for us as a church and individually. When we wake up, lift a prayer for thanks, for wisdom to accomplish God’s work, and to be prepared as Christ’s ambassador. When going to visit with someone, ask for wisdom on what to say/do, their receptiveness to God’s word, understanding as to how we might connect with them or connect them to God. Prayer is definitely a way of preparing our selves and allowing God to prepare others. We can also spend time in the Bible so as to know God’s heart more clearly. Memorizing Scripture can be a wonderful way of being prepared, for God can bring back to your memory those verses that will be most useful. Be open and available for the Holy Spirit’s leading. If they are ready, they will indicate an openness. How long does it take to be fully prepared?... until we stand before Jesus in the final judgement. Father, help us to be open to Your leading, but also prepare us for whatever You have planned for us in the future. Amen

Does Age Matter?

I ran across a list today that said, “You might be old if you used a rotary phone, a floppy disk, a camera with film, had to repair a cassette tape, used a record player, had an encyclopedia set, etc. Some of those items wouldn’t even make sense to kids today. It is humbling and wonderful to see how many things have changed over the years. It does, however, give me a perspective that a teen today probably doesn’t have. I don’t take things quite as much for granted because I understand how far we have come. Hopefully that might be called wisdom. I know of others my age that still have no appreciation for what it took to get here. They are so focused on themselves and getting ahead in this world that they don’t appreciate the progress to get here or there. The Bible tells us in Job 12:12, “Is not wisdom found among the aged? Does not long life bring understanding?” There is something to be said about what one can learn from successes and failures in life. Sadly, many fail. Proverbs speaks of the fear of the Lord as being the beginning of wisdom. There are many in our great nation that lack the awe and complete surrender to God. Is it only the wise that can have wisdom? Age helps, but it is not the deciding factor. It says in Proverbs 1:5, “let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance–”. In our youth, we often thought we had all the answers and didn’t need to submit to anyone. Wisdom understands limitations and what they can absorb from others. So, does this age make us shrewd businessmen, experts in our field, and fill us with all the answers? No, unless we learn to listen and learn. What then is the greatest indicator of Godly wisdom? Psalm 71:18 tells us, “Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, O God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your might to all who are to come.” I have heard so many people say, “If only I understood spiritual things then like I do today”. We often learn too late how much living and testifying about our faith could change us, our families, and others around us. If you are younger, I pray that you gain this wisdom early. If you are among the aged, be a living example of faith in Christ Jesus. Father, teach us daily who You are and how we might serve You. May our greatest joy not be in our achievements but in souls saved. Amen

Is Saying, “Sorry” Enough?

Recently, there has been a big incident on the internet. At a major tennis match, a player was signing some items for the fans. One item was a hat that he had signed and was handing it to a young boy. An adult reached out quickly and grabbed it from the boy. He quickly folded it up and put it in his wife’s handbag... out of sight... out of mind. When the world saw what he had done, the internet caught on fire. It ended up being a millionaire CEO that did this. His first response wasn’t one of guilt or shame. He told the world that it was his because he was faster. He said it was just a hat, although he made no attempt to return it. Lastly, he threaten those exposing his bad behavior by claiming that he would have a legal team look into what was written and maybe respond legally. I assume things didn’t calm down and the company was starting to get boycotted. The CEO finally claimed that this incident was good because it caused him to humble himself. He went on to say that he didn’t realize the hat was for the boy and claimed to be sorry for it. The problem was that, by his reaction in the videos, it was no accident. So, he tried to avoid the consequence. He tried to blame others. He tried to justify his actions. When all this failed, he then claimed to humble himself and say that he was sorry, even this apology didn’t ring true. How clearly this paints the picture of the sinful individual. Like King David, after having Bathsheba’s husband killed and marring her, David tried to ignore or hide his guilt. God sent Nathan to confront him. Then like the rebellious people of God, they threatened the prophets that spoke of repentance. Then some of the people made the outward appearance of saying they were sorry, but their confession was not genuine. Such people should have no confidence in their forgiveness. There is only one way to address our sin. We need to admit our culpability. We need to know that only through Jesus are we saved. Our hearts need to be broken over what we have done and our desire to turn back (repentance) needs to be genuine. Only then can we know forgiveness. Lord, You tell us that if we confess our sins, you will forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Turn our hearts to You. Thank You! Amen

Have You Ever Wondered, “What if?”

I was watching a science fiction show recently where the main characters go back in time, trying to stop other time travelers from altering the timeline. Even though such a concept seems farfetched, imagine if even one tiny thing were changed. What if, through casual conversation, you ended up causing someone to pursue a different interest. This interest may lead them away from meeting the love of their life and in so doing, someone alive today might never have been born. Even the tiniest interaction with the past could complete alter the reality of this timeline. It’s interesting to ponder, but it is unlikely to ever happen. Do we have to go back in time to have such a drastic influence on history? What would life be like if Adam and Eve had never disobeyed God? We would still be enjoying physically walking with God daily. What if Moses had gotten comfortable in Pharaoh’s court? Who would have rescued God’s people. What if Jacob’s son, Joseph, had become angry and not told Pharaoh the meaning of his dream. How many of God’s people would have died in the drought. What if Jonah had listened the first time and never ended up getting swallowed by the whale? Would he have spoken with the same passion and would the Ninevites have repented. What if Abraham hadn’t entertained the “strangers” (who ended up being angels)? Would Isaac have been born? Would lot have been rescued from Sodom and Gomorrah? If Abraham had been obedient, would Ishmael have been born and would Israel and the Middle East be in turmoil today? What about the choices you make? Maybe the person you didn’t help was meant to be the inventor of some great product and now they never will. What about the child that is aborted? Maybe they would be the one to find a cure for cancer. Maybe the person you smiled and greeted as a friend was thinking of causing a great disaster and now will back down from it. I believe that we truly can shape the future by what we do and how we treat others today. If everything is predetermined, then what is the use of trying. Instead of asking, “What if...”, we need to ask, “What now!” Father, You alone know what the future holds. Help us to trust and obey the One that holds that future in His hands. Amen

What Changed?

We hear of a horrific shooting in Minnesota where once again, a person with a gun tries to kill as many children as possible. There was a time, in my lifetime, when we didn’t hear of people doing such awful things. Kids in the country used to be able to bring their hunting rifles to school, leaving them on the rack in their pickup truck with unlocked doors. There are voices that cry out for more gun control, but outside of confiscating guns, most laws still wouldn’t change the outcome. There is a mental health problem. Are people mentally different today than they were years ago? I don’t think so, although I suppose their definitely could be something in the processed food, over-medication , and the like. I don’t think that is the full answer. I believe the three biggest factors are the nuclear family, a fundamental belief in God, and effective discipline. I know that many good people end up in broken families because of the lack of commitment and the ease of divorce. It is not just the laws though. The church needs to be more involved in helping families that are struggling, counselors need to be taught how to encourage couples to stay together, and families and friends need to help the couples navigate the struggles. God says He hates divorce. Discipline is a lost understanding. The Bible also says, “Spare the rod and spoil the child”. Physical and other forms of discipline should never be administered in anger. That is abuse, however, the correction does need to direct the child in the way that he should go. If the child doesn’t get it, it is not effective. For one child it might be a stern look and for another one, a spanking may be necessary. The schools used to be a big part of that discipline, but now when schools notify the parents, the parents often get a failing grade for their lack of correction. Faith is the biggest issue at hand. When we have nothing to believe in, our minds are easily misled or we make worldly choices... both usually have negative outcomes. When life becomes expendable (abortion, assisted suicide, euthanasia, and graphic video violence/games), it will translate into more death. God changes us from within. He also gives us strength. Father, soften the hearts of the people, removing hatred and replacing it with a deep desire to know You more. Amen

Experience God

We had driven north to see my mom. Pasties, like a meat pie wrapped in the crust, are a specialty in that area. We purchased a few to eat when we arrived. I was trying something quite different from my wife and mom. It was delicious. I had no desire to put ketchup or gravy on it, as many often do. I must say that I enjoyed every bite. My mom didn’t quite finish hers, so I chose to finish that one as well. If that had been the only one I had tasted, it would have been good, but mine was so amazing that the standard pasty fell short of expectation. I think in some circles, the concept of experiencing God is considered bad theology, because we are saved by grace and not by what we feel. I agree with that, but we can still know of God’s presence and leading. I think that there are many psalms that David wrote that spoke of more than who God was and what He did. Psalm 23 speaks of the Lord as our shepherd and the knowledge of all He has and continues to do for His “sheep”... us. The Psalm that really caught my attention was Psalm 34:8-10, “Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him. Fear the Lord, you his saints, for those who fear him lack nothing. The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.” Someone may put a wonderful meal before me with all the fixin’s, but until I actually taste it, I really don’t know what it is like. Maybe it is too sweet, salty, hot, cold, spicy, bland, etc. The same thing is true when it comes to faith. False prophets said many wonderful things that the people wanted to hear, but in the end, they were punished for not listening to God. David is challenging us to not just hear about God, but to really know Him, experience His presence, and see what He does. There is no shortage of lofty dreams that the world tries to sell to us... don’t be sad be happy... you have to look out for yourself... do what feels good... since God is love then He will accept what you are doing. David calls believers to fear God and that God will meet our needs... not to be confused with wants. To the non-believer, it is nonsense, but to Christians, it brings comfort and joy to the soul. Do you desire to know God so deeply that You taste His goodness? Father, I believe and trust in You even if I don’t feel Your presence, but fill my heart and spirit with the joy of Your salvation. Amen

Glorifying God

The other night there was an amazing sunset. When I took a picture, it looked as if the sky was on fire. I’ve said it before and I will say it again, God’s sunsets are so different every day and yet still magnificent in their own ways. But it is not just the sunsets that testify to God’s majesty. I watch the hummingbirds as they dart around and realize they will soon make a 2,000 mile trip southward. The flowers that are bursting forth in all their beauty. Flowers that we have around the church that go from white to pink as the season progresses. Even some of the flowers that are on weeds, if one can separate their classification, have some of the most gorgeous flowers. I used the zoom on my camera to take a picture of a weed flower that was only about a 1/16th of an inch in diameter that was filled with beauty. I’m not quite so excited to see some trees getting a little fall color on them. I’m not ready for Autumn yet. I see the still young fawn that is so precious. I’ve watched God’s power in the storms that have gone through. I’ve even seen it through God’s people that are faithfully representing Him in their actions and words. It is not just nature though. I see God’s glory in the talent and skills that He has given to individuals, even if those so gifted don’t acknowledge that. I hear it in the music that is played during worship and so many wonderful pieces that I have found on the radio, internet, etc. I think sometimes music is both the greatest testimony to God’s majesty and our greatest way to express our worship and devotion. There are so many other outward expressions of God’s supremacy. I can personally attest to knowing that power within my spirit... the joy of being in that intimacy with Him, seeing His hand of healing on others, and in the ways I have experienced His leading in my day-to-day life. We can open up God’s word and see the multitude of expressions and situations found there. There is His covenant that He kept with His people, leading the people through the desert from Egypt to the promised land, the angelic praise at Christmas, Jesus sacrificial act on the cross, the revelation of end times, and especially heaven. Father, we lift up our hands and voices in prayer and praise for You are worthy. Thank You for Your grace and mercy. Amen

Who Was Cain Afraid of?

Adam and Eve, the first people who were created by God, were kicked out of the Garden of Eden because they disobeyed Him. We are told of their first two children, Cain and Abel. Abel did what was right and pleased God while Cain didn’t. In jealousy, Cain killed Abel. When God judged (Genesis 4:13-14) “Cain said to the Lord, "My punishment is more than I can bear. Today you are driving me from the land, and I will be hidden from your presence; I will be a restless wanderer on the earth, and whoever finds me will kill me." So the question is, if Cain and Able were Adam and Eve’s first two children, who was Cain afraid of? He may have been looking down the road. Adam ended up living 930 years. He could have had 300 kids. If each child had kids when they reached their teens, there could have been 40 generations and thousands of kids by the time Adam died. Another option is that when they were kicked out of the Eden, Eve was told in Genesis 3:16, "I will greatly increase your pains in childbearing; with pain you will give birth to children.” How can there be more pain if there had never been a child born in the Garden of Eden. Could God have created others in Eden that may have had children? After all, the Bible only focuses on a select few. If Eve’s disobedience brought sin to all mankind, maybe if there were others in Eden, they were cast out too! Understand that God is not bound by our limited knowledge...only His Word. There are many things that He did that are not recorded. We read in Genesis 6:1-2, “When men began to increase in number on the earth and daughters were born to them, the sons of God saw that the daughters of men were beautiful, and they married any of them they chose.” Who were these sons of God? There are many theories, and even though I don’t believe it plays in here, without absolute knowledge, this can’t be ruled out. Does it really matter? Not if we understand that God can create simply by His command. It does matter when it comes to sharing our faith with others because unanswered questions can create doubt in people's minds. Do I lose sleep over this quandary? Not at all. Cain moved to the land of Nod (which means wandering). A place or concept? Father, help us not to get bogged down by details not essential to faith, but give us understanding to share with others. Amen

The Truth Comforts in Sorrow

Anniversaries are such a wonderful time of celebrating a vow, a milestone in a relationship. The anniversaries can be celebrated with cards, a special meal, and on some major years, maybe even a trip or a cruise. This makes sense after all, since the commitment is to love and to cherish until death separates us. But what happens when the unthinkable does happen... that is that death does separate us? The anniversaries don’t stop. The memories don’t stop. The feelings don’t stop. This is when, I believe, the believer is better equipped to handle things. I am not saying we don’t grieve, but as the scriptures say, we don’t grieve as one without hope. When the loved one that has passed is a believer in Jesus Christ, we can be assured that they are no longer suffering... and that God is with us. This means that we don’t grieve for them, but we still experience the loss. It is a time to ask God for strength to deal with the emotions that tend to be a little more raw at this time. It is time to celebrate the years we had been given and maybe reminisce, sometimes comforted by being with those we love. That is something that the friends and family should keep on their calendar to ask if this individual would enjoy their company on this day, or if it was a day they wanted to walk through privately on their own. Sometimes the temptation is to try to distract the person from those memories or redirect with other things. My experience with such loss is that this person may find healing in being able to share in the stories and memories of years gone by. I’ve known of people that marry quickly after the loss of a spouse, but even in those situations, the memories of that love do not disappear. This is good to be remembered by the one that has remarried, for how he/she will react to their current situation. It is also important to be remembered by the one who married them, that they don’t take offense or become jealous over mourning the loss of this past relationship. We must also note that everyone is different. Some will express their feelings and some deal with it internally. Some will break down while others will seem unfazed. One size doesn’t fit all. Pray for them on these days. Ask if they would like company. Love them. Father, we lift up all those that have lost loved ones and continue to mourn the loss. Fill them with Your peace today. Amen

What Would You Do If You Had a Cure?

I heard a pastor share this parable and was so struck by its clarity that I wanted to share it with you. He began, “Imagine if you had a cure for cancer and you put it in your shirt pocket. Then you proceeded to Oncology, where cancer patients were being treated. Maybe you walked into some of the patient's rooms and helped fluff their pillows, make sure they had water to drink, and tried to lift up their spirits. After spending some quality time, you leave those patients and head home. You would probably be wondering why, if I had the cure for cancer in my pocket, I just focused on doing nice things for the patients but didn’t bring the healing that was within my grasp”. From that parable, the speaker went on to compare it to our Christian lives. We usually live a fairly good life, trying to help other and do what is right. The problem is, if we are speaking with those who are not confident in their faith, those good works and kind words will not benefit them in eternity. Like the man in the parable that had the cure for cancer, we have the cure for sin, which results in forgiveness here and the assurance of eternal life with Jesus. We are nice to those that are walking in sin. The world cannot heal them, and they continue to die spiritually. Just like the man in the parable needed to present the cure to the patients, we need to speak life to those we meet. If you are not sure if they are a believer, share the words of life. If they believe, they will be encouraged by your words. If they say they believe, but are offended, there might be too much pride present. Either that, or they put on the appearance of faith, but their heart is not still hungering for God and His word. If, however, it is an unbeliever or a seeker of God, then a seed will be planted, and they know the hope that we have. You might consider yourself a physician's assistant. The physician, who has diagnosed sin and presented the cure (his sacrifice on the cross). He now sends you and me to bring the cure to those that have contracted this disease called sin. It is a lethal virus, as even the smallest amount means certain death. Don’t just take... deliver the cure to those you meet. Father, You have the words of eternal life. Alleluia. Heal us and send us into the world to bring the good news. Amen