The Journey

2012-01-10T08:46:00.000-05:00

I am so grateful today for a good report concerning the health of a friend who has been fighting an aggressive cancer for the past six months. It's hard not to be anxious. Even when we trust Him, we may be dismayed at what He allows in our lives. Even though we know He loves us, it doesn't take away the pain when we watch suffering. Sometimes it's really tough, but today is a day for gratitude.

⁴ For great is the LORD and most worthy of praise;
   he is to be feared above all gods.
⁵ For all the gods of the nations are idols,
   but the LORD made the heavens.
⁶ Splendor and majesty are before him;
   strength and glory are in his sanctuary.

Psalm 96:4-6 (NIV)

May 2012 be a Wonderful Year

2011-12-31T22:11:00.004-05:00

"You shall not go out with haste, . . . for the Lord will go before you, and the God of Israel will be your rear guard —Isaiah 52:12"

This was today's scripture from Oswald Chambers' "My Utmost for His Highest" and I can't improve on the commentary or the sentiment, so let it speak for itself ....

"As we go forth into the coming year, let it not be in the haste of impetuous, forgetful delight, nor with the quickness of impulsive thoughtlessness. But let us go out with the patient power of knowing that the God of Israel will go before us. Our yesterdays hold broken and irreversible things for us. It is true that we have lost opportunities that will never return, but God can transform this destructive anxiety into a constructive thoughtfulness for the future. Let the past rest, but let it rest in the sweet embrace of Christ.
Leave the broken, irreversible past in His hands, and step out into the invincible future with Him."

A Warm and Fuzzy Christmas

2011-12-27T09:46:00.000-05:00

One of my favorite holiday songs this Christmas is "My Grown-up Christmas List". It wistfully encapsulates how life would be in a perfect world.

"So here's my lifelong wish
My grown-up Christmas list
Not for myself, but for a world in need

No more lives torn apart
That wars would never start
And time would heal all hearts
Every man would have a friend
That right would always win
And love would never end
This is my grown-up Christmas list"

The problem is that we will never live in a perfect world here. Actually Christmas is all about how God will re-create a perfect world through the birth of Jesus. It just can't happen any other way.

¹ A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit. ² The Spirit of the LORD will rest on him - the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of might, the Spirit of the knowledge and fear of the LORD³ and he will delight in the fear of the LORD. He will not judge by what he sees with his eyes, or decide by what he hears with his ears;⁴ but with righteousness he will judge the needy, with justice he will give decisions for the poor of the earth. He will strike the earth with the rod of his mouth; with the breath of his lips he will slay the wicked.⁵ Righteousness will be his belt and faithfulness the sash around his waist. ⁶ The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling together; and a little child will lead them.(Isaiah 11:1-6)

Now that's a word picture of a perfect world, my grown-up Christmas wish.

God Protects His People - really!

2011-12-09T09:18:00.001-05:00

Occasionally something happens that makes me realize that I have probably escaped harm from all manner of random sources, and not even been aware of it. I know that God has protected me all my life, and I need to be more aware of that and more grateful. This blessing and grace also extends to my family, and probably also has a lot to do with the prayers of my parents and grandparents. Thank you.

Psalm 121 (NIV)

¹ I lift up my eyes to the mountains— where does my help come from?
² My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.
³ He will not let your foot slip— he who watches over you will not slumber;
⁴ indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.
⁵ The LORD watches over you— the LORD is your shade at your right hand;
⁶ the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.
⁷ The LORD will keep you from all harm— he will watch over your life;
⁸ the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.

Wisdom from 1558

2011-11-11T15:38:00.001-05:00

The mind is such a strange and incomprehensible thing. I woke up this morning with this old hymn going around in my head. We used to sing it at school. I couldn't remember all the words, so I "googled" it. What else! It comes from old English Episcopal liturgy but it's such an all-encompassing prayer. It covers all the bases.

God be in my head, and in my understanding;
God be in mine eyes, and in my looking;
God be in my mouth, and in my speaking;
God be in my heart, and in my thinking;
God be at mine end, and at my departing.
(Sarum Primer, 1558)

The Gospel according to Oswald Chambers

2011-10-28T21:37:00.001-04:00

I love Oswald Chambers' devotional "My Utmost for His Highest". I find I just keep reading it year after year because its depth always gives me new nuggets, or a different take on an old nugget. I think October 7th delivers the Gospel (Good News) in its most succinct form and I unashamedly plagiarize because I have never heard it better said:

"Sin is a fundamental relationship— it is not wrong doing, but wrong being— it is deliberate and determined independence from God. The Christian faith bases everything on the extreme, self-confident nature of sin. Other faiths deal with sins— the Bible alone deals with sin. The first thing Jesus Christ confronted in people was the heredity of sin, and it is because we have ignored this in our presentation of the gospel that the message of the gospel has lost its sting and its explosive power."

There is more, but you can read the full version for yourself here http://utmost.org/the-nature-of-reconciliation/

It totally diffuses the argument that you hear so often "I am a good person" because it's not about what you do wrong or what you do right. It's about the basic sin nature that is part of our DNA, and that can only be dealt with by the reconciliation that Christ provided.

He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him (2 Corinthians 5:21)

Faster than the speed of light?

2011-10-06T17:39:00.002-04:00

Mankind is always striving to understand more about the universe, and we learn new things every day; some trivial and some very significant. One example of the latter has recently come out of Europe. Google "Cern's discovery of subatomic particles traveling faster than light" for more information. According to various online sources, if verified, it would overturn a scientific dogma that has stood since Albert Einstein published his theory of relativity early in the 20th century: that nothing can move faster than light – 299,792,458 metres per second. If verified, the fallout and ripple effects will be huge.

But for God there is nothing new under the sun, or under heaven for that matter. No surprises here, since he designed it all anyway. Why can't people just accept that? (rhetorical question).

Psalm 119:89-93 (NIV)

⁸⁹ Your word, LORD, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens. ⁹⁰ Your faithfulness continues through all generations; you established the earth, and it endures. ⁹¹ Your laws endure to this day, for all things serve you. ⁹² If your law had not been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction. ⁹³ I will never forget your precepts, for by them you have preserved my life.

Never doubt that God is in control

2011-09-23T13:42:00.002-04:00

¹⁴ In righteousness you shall be established; You shall be far from oppression, for you shall not fear; And from terror, for it shall not come near you. ¹⁵ Indeed they shall surely assemble, but not because of me. Whoever assembles against you shall fall for your sake. ¹⁶ “ Behold, I have created the blacksmith Who blows the coals in the fire, Who brings forth an instrument for his work; And I have created the spoiler to destroy. ¹⁷ No weapon formed against you shall prosper, And every tongue which rises against you in judgment You shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, And their righteousness is from Me,” Says the LORD.
Isaiah 54 NKJV

Palestinians - pursue statehood at your peril

2011-09-20T21:00:00.001-04:00

The history of Israel confounds our logic because God confounds our logic. His ways are not our ways. Can the pot say of the potter "He knows nothing?" He is God, and there is no other. The Jews are his people and Israel is his land. Those who come against Israel come against God. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem, not because you understand why, but because God commands it.

Psalm 48

4 When the kings joined forces, when they advanced together, 5 they saw her and were astounded; they fled in terror. 6 Trembling seized them there, pain like that of a woman in labor. 7 You destroyed them like ships of Tarshish shattered by an east wind. 8 As we have heard, so we have seen in the city of the LORD Almighty, in the city of our God: God makes her secure forever.

But How Do We Do Right?

2011-09-08T22:11:00.000-04:00

Funny how things go. Yesterday I don't know why I wrote about right and wrong, but reading Oswald Chambers' devotional for today, he talks about the "how" of doing the right thing. It seems like such a logical segue in that we accomplish doing the right thing only by deliberately making that moral choice that lines up with the Word of God, rejecting that which opposes it. Paul says it so succinctly yet completely in 2 Corinthians 10:5

"We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ."

There is Right and there is Wrong

2011-09-07T16:19:00.000-04:00

How imperceptibly the lines have blurred over time between right and wrong, until many folks who were never taught the difference now accept the lie that it is only your own paradigm that determines truth. And so truth and right and wrong can shift and slide as your paradigm slides over time; adjusting to your varying circumstances as you stumble through life. How much more secure and stable is the man who is able to stand on an immovable rock and make judgment calls and decisions based on a timeless standard. How valuable is that man to his friends and family who know they can count on his consistent responses and advice through the ups and downs of life. How much easier it is to think clearly when the lines are clearly drawn, and what peace of mind that brings.

At the root of not wanting to accept that there is "wrong" is the determination to do what we want to do, and to justify that position. If we stubbornly persist in going down that road, we will certainly pay a price - sooner or later.

28 “When they cry for help, I will not answer. Though they anxiously search for me, they will not find me. 29 For they hated knowledge and chose not to fear the Lord. 30 They rejected my advice and paid no attention when I corrected them. 31 Therefore, they must eat the bitter fruit of living their own way, choking on their own schemes. 32 For simpletons turn away from me—to death. Fools are destroyed by their own complacency. 33 But all who listen to me will live in peace, untroubled by fear of harm.”
Proverbs 1:28-33

He wounds, but He also binds up

2011-08-18T10:50:00.002-04:00

18 For he wounds, but he also binds up; he injures, but his hands also heal. 19 From six calamities he will rescue you; in seven no harm will touch you. 20 In famine he will deliver you from death, and in battle from the stroke of the sword. 21 You will be protected from the lash of the tongue, and need not fear when destruction comes. 22 You will laugh at destruction and famine, and need not fear the wild animals. 23 For you will have a covenant with the stones of the field, and the wild animals will be at peace with you. 24 You will know that your tent is secure; you will take stock of your property and find nothing missing. 25 You will know that your children will be many, and your descendants like the grass of the earth. 26 You will come to the grave in full vigor, like sheaves gathered in season.
Job 5

The Futility of "why?"

2011-08-10T21:35:00.002-04:00

This week has to rank up there with some of the least enjoyable in my life. For one thing, along with many baby boomers I watch appalled as the stock market summarily dispenses with a sizeable chunk of my retirement nest egg. More importantly, I watch helplessly as a dear friend prepares to fight the battle of her life against an aggressive cancer that if unchecked would certainly devour her.

In the case of the former disappointment, my natural reaction has been to whine and apportion blame wherever, but in the latter I know not what to say. It is all too overwhelming. There are no words in the natural that can shrink the threat, no comforting clichés that can calm the fears. I have no idea how atheists come to terms with this magnitude of difficulty. I do know my God and I know that He is good all the time. We don’t understand why, and we will probably never know why some people have to walk through such hardship, but that’s no reason to doubt his character or his love and concern for us. Gotta keep trusting Him. In situations like this, there is nothing else.

35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36 As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” 37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 8:35-39 (NIV)
Image: Yad Vashem, Israel

2011-07-27T21:56:00.003-04:00

When fear threatens, from whatever source, may I know this not only intellectually, but with certainty in every fiber of my being.

1 The LORD is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?
2 When the wicked advance against me to devour me, it is my enemies and my foes who will stumble and fall.
3 Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me,even then I will be confident.
4 One thing I ask from the LORD, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple.
5 For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent and set me high upon a rock.
Psalm 27 (NIV)

Fourth July 2011

2011-07-06T09:38:00.003-04:00

I re-read my post for the fourth of July and decided that my tone was pessimistic. I didn't mean to be - with God all things are possible and there are many people praying for the nation. Here's an excerpt from a great psalm full of promises of God's faithfulness
Psalm 33:12-22
12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people he chose for his inheritance. 13 From heaven the LORD looks down and sees all mankind; from his dwelling place he watches all who live on earth — 15 he who forms the hearts of all, who considers everything they do. 16 No king is saved by the size of his army; no warrior escapes by his great strength. 17 A horse is a vain hope for deliverance; despite all its great strength it cannot save. 18 But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love, 19 to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine. 20 We wait in hope for the LORD; he is our help and our shield. 21 In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. 22 May your unfailing love be with us, LORD, even as we put our hope in you.

One Nation under God

2011-07-01T10:17:00.006-04:00

We know that we are blessed as a nation, at least we have been in the past. Christians pass on to their children the affirmation of a Godly heritage initiated by the Founding Fathers. We only have to look to history however to see that nations rise and fall.

The Roman Empire was formed in 31 BC under the leadership of Caesar Augustus who brought peace, prosperity and culture. The empire expanded so much that by the 2nd century AD Rome had colonies which stretched from the Middle East to Spain, and from Great Britain to North Africa. The sheer size of the empire brought problems. There was not enough money to pay for any army spread across the world, which made the empire vulnerable to enemies. Constant attacks by German barbarians eventually defeated the army, and the empire fell in AD 476. Many other empires and nations have risen and fallen for similar reasons, often wracked by internal conflicts as well.

Yale Professor of History, Paul Kennedy wrote a book called "The Rise and Fall of the Great Powers", where he observes a predictable pattern "Wealth is usually needed to underpin military power, and military power is usually needed to acquire and protect wealth." He concludes that "Decision-makers in Washington must face the awkward and enduring fact that the sum total of the United States' global interests and obligations is nowadays far larger than the country's power to defend them all simultaneously. Even aside from this dilemma, American dominance is on the wane, not because the nation is growing poorer or weaker but because others are becoming richer and stronger."

With all the current challenges we face as a nation, it seems that, like Israel was persuaded at different times in their history, we should return to our roots and remember from whence we came. The prevailing attitude however seems to be "been there, done that, want something different."

Leviticus 26:3-8
3 “‘If you follow my decrees and are careful to obey my commands, 4 I will send you rain in its season, and the ground will yield its crops and the trees their fruit. 5 Your threshing will continue until grape harvest and the grape harvest will continue until planting, and you will eat all the food you want and live in safety in your land. 6 “‘I will grant peace in the land, and you will lie down and no one will make you afraid. I will remove wild beasts from the land, and the sword will not pass through your country. 7 You will pursue your enemies, and they will fall by the sword before you. 8 Five of you will chase a hundred, and a hundred of you will chase ten thousand, and your enemies will fall by the sword before you.

Conversations with God

2011-06-08T18:55:00.005-04:00

Recently I took a solo trip of 4 days through the mountains of Virginia and North Carolina. Since I did a lot of driving and quite a bit of hiking, I had a lot of time to think. I found myself having these conversations with God, or rather talking to him and then thinking about what he must be thinking about what I just said. A lot of the time, bearing in mind that his intelligence and comprehension is way beyond my understanding, I thought he was probably shaking his head at my analyses. On more than one occasion during this time, I got myself into potentially dangerous situations through sheer thoughtlessness. For example, I hiked alone with no cellphone signal up a remote mountain path before dawn, barely able to make out the rocks and roots in my path. I prayed that I wouldn't trip and break a bone, and that no bears were eyeing me from the forest. As part of my prayer, I readily acknowledged that God is not obliged to cover my behind every time I engage in chronic stupidity, but I also reminded him that he loves me very much and that he has promised to uphold me by his righteous right hand. Rather like the relationship described by A.A. Milne between Christopher Robin and Winnie the Pooh - a bear with very little brain, but much beloved. Thank you Lord for your protection through all the times I was aware of it, and all the times I wasn't.

Isaiah 41.10
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

More Current Events

2011-05-25T11:22:00.005-04:00

Last week Barack Obama pushed Israel to hand over half of Jerusalem, the Wailing Wall, The Temple Mount, Old Jerusalem, and the tomb of Jesus Christ to the Palestinians. Yesterday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected Obama’s proposal. Congress gave him a standing ovation. USA or no USA, Israel will survive.

Deuteronomy 33:27-29
27 The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms. He will drive out your enemies before you, saying, ‘Destroy them!’
28 So Israel will live in safety; Jacob will dwell secure in a land of grain and new wine, where the heavens drop dew.
29 Blessed are you, Israel! Who is like you, a people saved by the LORD? He is your shield and helper and your glorious sword. Your enemies will cower before you, and you will tread on their heights.Golan Heights

Paying attention to the signs

2011-05-24T22:04:00.002-04:00

I'm watching video footage of the incredibly powerful tornadoes that have ripped through Alabama, Missouri, and Oklahoma over the past few days. Just last weekend, "false prophets" were predicting the end of the world, and before that the earthquake and following tsunami moved Japan 10 feet closer to the USA. Surely these things have to get the attention of most people - they are simply not "normal" and even if they are natural, they are happening with abnormal frequency and severity. If you know your Bible, these words from Matthew 24 must come to mind. Gosh, at least think about it.

3 As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. “Tell us,” they said, “when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?”

4 Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you. 5 For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many. 6 You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. 7 Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are the beginning of birth pains.

9 “Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. 10 At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, 11 and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. 12 Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, 13 but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.

The Carrot and the Stick - aka Performance Based Religion

2011-05-11T09:30:00.006-04:00

Ever since we were very young, we were trained to behave well, and positive responses would generate rewards and approval. The contrary would also apply; in my case disobedience, laziness, negligence etc. would produce some form of negative consequence. I think that's what makes it so hard to naturally live out the concept of grace, or unmerited favor. If something good happens in my life, my first thought is that I must have behaved in some way that pleased God. I know intellectually that this is not correct thinking, but the premise is so entrenched in our culture. He loves me when I'm "good" and "bad" and the blessings are just that - blessings by grace.
Ephesians 2:8-10
8For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9not by works, so that no one can boast. 10For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

So if we don't earn salvation by our works, good or bad, we probably don't earn any points from them either.

The Power and Mystery of God

2011-05-04T14:50:00.003-04:00

I have been wanting to post something on this blog for weeks it seems, but truthfully I have had nothing to say. Nothing that I felt was at all inspired anyway. The folks whose lives have been devastated by the recent tornadoes have been very much in my thoughts and prayers lately, though. It seems so random and so hard, nevertheless we believe that God is still in control. That's not a trite little cliche that I'm trotting out - I just don't know what else to say about it all .. Scripture doesn't always make things any clearer either. Here we have this awesome picture of the power of God, and all crying "Glory". I guess there were no people affected in the desert and forest at the time. Or maybe there were.

Psalm 29
7 The voice of the LORD strikes with flashes of lightning. 8 The voice of the LORD shakes the desert; the LORD shakes the Desert of Kadesh. 9 The voice of the LORD twists the oaks and strips the forests bare. And in his temple all cry, “Glory!” 10 The LORD sits enthroned over the flood; the LORD is enthroned as King forever. 11 The LORD gives strength to his people; the LORD blesses his people with peace.

Another Chapter of the Journey safely completed

2011-04-19T08:33:00.005-04:00

I have just returned from a long journey that involved driving approximately 3,000 miles, sometimes under dangerous circumstances, and flying many more thousands of miles. I am so grateful for God's protection during this time and don't take it for granted. Is it because of the prayers that He heard? His faithfulness? His love for us? Or maybe just because the days of our lives are already numbered and His plan is for us to live until those days are up? Maybe all of the above, but I don't really need to know. What I do know is the nature of my God, and that is enough.

Psalm 18 (NLT)
30 God’s way is perfect. All the Lord’s promises prove true. He is a shield for all who look to him for protection.
31 For who is God except the Lord? Who but our God is a solid rock?

Again, why do bad things happen to good people?

2011-03-18T08:41:00.007-04:00

This is a refrain that is played over and over. A valid complaint of course, and one abused by many who use it as an excuse not to want to know God. How does one mentally process and reconcile some of the incomprehensible evil that exists? The massacre of a family in Itamar, Israel for example? Why is the world not rising up in outrage? Maybe because not many people even know about it. So sad. I don't understand, but I know my God will take care of it all, maybe not the way we would like to see, or even in our time, but He will see justice done.

Isaiah 57:19-21 (NIV)
Peace, peace, to those far and near,” says the LORD. “And I will heal them.” 20 But the wicked are like the tossing sea, which cannot rest, whose waves cast up mire and mud. 21 “There is no peace,” says my God, “for the wicked.”

Deuteronomy 32:35
35 It is mine to avenge; I will repay. In due time their foot will slip;
their day of disaster is near and their doom rushes upon them.”

A Slave to Sugar

2011-03-14T14:22:00.002-04:00

So at the moment I am trying very hard to not only reduce my sugar intake, but to subdue my desire for the taste of sugar, hopefully for life. I have to stay away from chocolate, cakes, etc. because there is no "everything in moderation" where sweet things are concerned. I am just fortunate that it is only a mildly destructive addiction and not one with the potential to destroy lives, like drugs, alcohol or pornography. At the same time, if I can't control my sugar intake, how powerless would I be to control a more powerful addiction! This morning's "Utmost for his Highest" talked about being a slave to sin, and this quote spoke to me about being a slave to sugar:

Romans 6 (New Living Translation)
16 Don’t you realize that you become the slave of whatever you choose to obey? You can be a slave to sin, which leads to death, or you can choose to obey God, which leads to righteous living.

The principal is the same with every temptation; if we give in to it, we are enslaved by it.

20 When you were slaves to sin, you were free from the obligation to do right. 21 And what was the result? You are now ashamed of the things you used to do, things that end in eternal doom. 22 But now you are free from the power of sin and have become slaves of God. Now you do those things that lead to holiness and result in eternal life. 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.

Through God's Eyes

2011-02-21T21:17:00.009-05:00

While traveling through rural South Carolina last weekend, I passed by some abandoned old cars, rusting by the side of the road. Many wouldn't give them a passing glance, but I stopped to photograph them, thinking about how they must have looked when their proud owners first drove them off the showroom floor. I thought that must be how God sees us, not with the natural eye of outward appearance but seeing the hidden beauty and attaching great value. We may not be shiny and new anymore, but he is looking through the eyes of love.
So the one image is how a seemingly irrelevant person might look in the eyes of a casual observer, and the other is how God sees him, weathered and scarred, but valuable. Isaiah 43
4 Since you are precious and honored in my sight, and because I love you, I will give people in exchange for you, nations in exchange for your life.

There is nothing new under the sun

2011-02-13T08:22:00.003-05:00

From the beginning of history, I imagine that life has seldom been easy all the way through for anyone. Even people with seemingly favored lives have surely had their struggles, fears, and have fought their own demons. There have always been times of peace, war, disaster, depression and plenty. The decisions we make in the light of prevailing conditions may seem logical and wise, and they are the best decisions possible given the extent of our knowledge at the time. Relationship decisions, financial decisions, career decisions ... I know many are realizing right now that the financial decisions they made a few years ago have proved disasterous in the light of our current situation. There is only one who knows the end from the beginning, and I know I need his help even with the decisions that may seem insignificant, because they can later turn out to be pivotal.

1 Lord, you have been our dwelling place throughout all generations. 2 Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the whole world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.
12 Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.
17 May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us — yes, establish the work of our hands.

(Verses from Psalm 90, a psalm of Moses. Read the whole thing - it's good stuff)

Staying the Course

2011-02-06T08:56:00.007-05:00

It's easy to become discouraged, to not walk out the decisions we've made, thinking that few would notice and even less would care. Then when I go back to the Word, I see how much we would have lost if some of the great Biblical role models had given up. I realize how common this temptation is, as evidenced by the countless exhortations to persevere, and the assurances of blessing for those who do.

Isaiah 50:7 (NIV)
Because the Sovereign LORD helps me, I will not be disgraced.
Therefore have I set my face like flint, and I know I will not be put to shame.

Isaiah 26:3-4 (NIV)
You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. 4 Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD himself, is the Rock eternal.

Isaiah 25:9 (NIV)
In that day they will say, “Surely this is our God; we trusted in him, and he saved us. This is the LORD, we trusted in him; let us rejoice and be glad in his salvation.”

Hang in there - He knows, He's watching (not sleeping) and He will come through for you.

Another Great Promise from Isaiah

2011-01-25T21:33:00.000-05:00

I found a gem this morning In Isaiah 46. Even though I have probably read it many times before, it struck me as magically fresh. That's the fun thing about God's Word - it's as though it changes all the time, except that I know I'm the one that changes. It's a promise that applies to me, and to any child of God.

3 “Listen to me, you descendants of Jacob, all the remnant of the people of Israel, you whom I have upheld since your birth, and have carried since you were born.
4 Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.

Throwing the spiritual switch

2011-01-06T11:37:00.002-05:00

One-on-one evangelizing is not one of my gifts, and the often heard "your life is the only sermon some will ever hear" is a cop-out, especially since sometimes I know my life would translate into very dubious theology. So the conundrum is how to help someone get the revelation that they even need a savior when they feel no need for such a thing. Even that realization is a gift from God. Sometimes I ask God why his ways seem so hard to understand, but I know that the more time I spend with him and the harder I sincerely try to find him, the clearer it becomes as supernaturally the fog lifts, the light comes on, and I start to glimpse more of the big picture. We have to take the first step though, that is always his way. All his work is already done through the life and death of Jesus.

I think I know what He would have me do, how he wants me to uniquely share his story, and it will be an important project for me through 2011. It's cooking in my mind - I just mustn't mess it up.

Jeremiah 29:13
You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

Romans 11:33
Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out!

Another year is almost over

2010-12-28T19:15:00.005-05:00

Gosh, it's a cliche that the years fly by faster as you get older, but come to find out that it certainly seems that way. For many it's a time for reflection, introspection, and for me an evaluation of whether the year counted for something more than just the passage of time, another trip around the sun. God I hope so.

Recently we got to see a lunar eclipse and I keep coming back to this image of it - almost a 3D effect - and it's not hard to imagine the moon spinning through space in a controlled pattern, a path ordered before time began. You can't help but be overwhelmed by the realization that this is all so much bigger than you. And yet He cares for you. But I ramble ...

Psalm 136
4 to him who alone does great wonders, His love endures forever.
5 who by his understanding made the heavens, His love endures forever.
6 who spread out the earth upon the waters, His love endures forever.
7 who made the great lights — His love endures forever.
8 the sun to govern the day, His love endures forever.
9 the moon and stars to govern the night; His love endures forever.

Religion vs. Love and Compassion

2010-12-23T10:25:00.003-05:00

At Christmas time, with all the fun and excitement of family events, reunions, etc. as well as the rituals associated with the reason for the season, help me to remember the definition of religion according to James:

Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. (James 1:27)

God's Permissive vs. God's Perfect Will

2010-12-16T17:44:00.005-05:00

So this morning I'm reading Oswald Chambers' deep and profound daily homily and it's talking about God's perfect will vs. God's permissive will. Well that's a debate that's been kicked around a lot so I was paying as much attention as my cerebral capabilities would permit. I highlighted "God's perfect will is unchangeable. It is with his permissive will, or the various things he allows into our lives, that we must wrestle before him."

Then, still mulling it over, I picked up where I had left off the previous day in Timothy 2 and read:

"19 Nevertheless, Gods solid foundation stands firm sealed with this inscription "The Lord knows those who are his," .. (his perfect unchangeable will)
20-21 "In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for noble purposes and some for ignoble. If I man cleanses himself from the latter, he will be an instrument for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work."

I felt like God was saying to me that these are my choices in the realm of his permissive will - to choose whether to be gold or wood, silver or clay. Pretty cool.

A Story too Strange not to be True

2010-12-14T13:56:00.002-05:00

For me, one of the most compelling reasons to believe in the incarnation of Christ is that the entire concept is just too weird for someone to have concocted. If you're going to perpetrate a massive hoax or deception, wouldn't one want to keep it somewhat within the realms of "reasonableness"?

But over 700 years before, a prophet foretold the place of Messiah' birth. Pretty good guess right? His lineage - well yup, it makes sense that he should come from a kingly tribe, but the part about his ancient origins? Where did that come from? How random a statement to be thrown into the mix.

Micah 5:2
But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.

Much later, John describes his ancient origins this way:

John 1:1-5 (NLT)
1 In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God,and the Word was God.
2 He existed in the beginning with God.
3 God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him.
4 The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone.
5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.

The joy that remains

2010-12-12T17:36:00.003-05:00

This is the season of joy, anticipation and hope. So a week later, my problems have resolved themselves to the point where I can hardly remember what they were and God is still God. How protected and pampered most of us are compared to what so many perople are dealing with. As we heard today, let's give out of gratitude and not out of guilt, and not only at Christmas but as a lifestyle.

Luke 2:25-32
25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. 27 Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, 28 Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:

29 “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss[d] your servant in peace. 30 For my eyes have seen your salvation, 31 which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: 32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.”

Lost the Joy today

2010-12-05T20:58:00.004-05:00

Yesterday was a good day and I was thanking God for my life and all the good things that are part of my life. It was a full day and I worked hard on some photography projects. When I turned off the computer finally at about 10pm and went to bed, all was well with my world. It shows just how vulnerable I am to the variances of my circumstances. This morning I turned on my computer to continue my work and got the message that turns the stomach "boot disk failure insert system disk and press enter". Long story short, many days worth of work hang in the balance until I hear from an expert next week whether or not I still have a readable harddrive. Couple of other things also went very wrong in the first few hours of my Sunday, so although I really wanted to worship in church, by the time I got there I was so distracted by my personal catastrophes that I had a hard time disciplining myself to set it all aside. So, two things I need to know with my heart and not just my head ...

1. Priorities
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. (Matthew 6.33 NIV)

2. Trust in Him
You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. (Isaiah 26:3 NIV)

God has my number

2010-11-25T06:08:00.003-05:00

Matthew 10:29-31
29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. 30 And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

Isaiah 54:6-10
6 The LORD will call you back as if you were a wife deserted and distressed in spirit— a wife who married young, only to be rejected,” says your God.
7 “For a brief moment I abandoned you, but with deep compassion I will bring you back.
8 In a surge of anger I hid my face from you for a moment, but with everlasting kindness I will have compassion on you,” says the LORD your Redeemer.
9 “To me this is like the days of Noah, when I swore that the waters of Noah would never again cover the earth. So now I have sworn not to be angry with you, never to rebuke you again.
10 Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,” says the LORD, who has compassion on you.

The Word is Alive

2010-11-16T22:46:00.001-05:00

I'm so often amazed that verses that I've read many times before and not paid much attention to, can suddenly resonate with depth and meaning for no apparent reason. (Hebrews 4:12) This morning I read the following verse, and I loved it passionately, although I know I've read it before and not given it much thought. For whatever reason, I know it was for me today:

Psalm 119:165 (NIV)
Great peace have those who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble.

Wisdom and Understanding

2010-11-09T02:16:00.004-05:00

The Bible is so emphatic about the virtues of wisdom and understanding. If we would only try to understand as much as we want to be understood, and if we would only practice being slow to speak. Once thoughtless words leave our mouths, we can never stuff them back again. Patience and grace is so much easier to live with than regret for things said and done in haste.

Proverbs 4
5 Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or swerve from them. 6 Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you. 7 Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding. 8 Esteem her, and she will exalt you; embrace her, and she will honor you. 9 She will set a garland of grace on your head and present you with a crown of splendor."

2010-11-03T05:13:00.003-04:00

You alone are the LORD. You made the heavens, even the highest heavens, and all their starry host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them. You give life to everything, and the multitudes of heaven worship you. (Nehemiah 9:6)

He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. (John 1:10)

The greatest blessing

2010-10-12T13:18:00.006-04:00

I remember as a child pulling the covers over my head on a Sunday morning and hoping my mom would forget about me and not make me go to church. No chance. Then it seemed that overnight I became my mom and I repeated the process with my kids, who responded just like I did.

The blessing is standing beside them in church when they have become adults, and being aware of their raised hands and voices, as they choose to worship their God. God is a God of generations, and He is faithful.

Deuteronomy 11:18-21
18 Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. 19 Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. 20 Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates, 21 so that your days and the days of your children may be many in the land that the LORD swore to give your forefathers, as many as the days that the heavens are above the earth.

Proverbs 22:6
Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.

It's a New season - The Journey Continues

2010-10-05T08:37:00.006-04:00

I love a new season. Fall is definitely here and it reminds me of newness, change, and the continuing on of life. Sometimes we think about God and his Word as history, but the story continues, and like it or not, we are all right in the middle of it. It would be really nice if we knew ahead of time where the road was leading; whether a specific path would bring blessing, joy and fulfillment, or an expense of time, energy, emotions, and a dead end. I guess we learn from everything - good and bad. It reminds me of an old hymn that we used to sing at school. Funny how we can remember stuff like this word for word, but not always what we did last week - speaking for me that is. Anyway, it's been going round and round in my head and here are a couple of the verses.

Guide Me O Thou Great Redeemer

Guide me, O thou great redeemer,
Pilgrim through this barren land;
I am weak, but thou art mighty,
Hold me with thy powerful hand;
Bread of heaven, bread of heaven
Feed me till I want no more;
Feed me till I want no more.

Open now the crystal fountain
Whence the healing stream doth flow;
Let the fire and cloudy pillar
Lead me all my journey through:
Strong deliverer, strong deliverer;
Be thou still my strength and shield;
Be thou still my strength and shield.

When I tread the verge of Jordan,
Bid my anxious fears subside;
Death of death, and hell's destruction
Land me safe on Canaan's side:
Songs of praises, songs of praises,
I will ever give to thee;
I will ever give to thee.

Psalm 27 - strength to face the day

2010-09-22T08:27:00.006-04:00

Yesterday was an unusually sad day on many fronts. I received accounts of death, sickness, trauma, anger and sadness in family relationships. This was the psalm that I felt the Lord gave me in the morning before I heard about all of this - almost in preparation for the news.

Psalm 27
1 The LORD is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life; Of whom shall I be afraid?
2 When the wicked came against me To eat up my flesh, My enemies and foes, They stumbled and fell.
3 Though an army may encamp against me, My heart shall not fear; Though war may rise against me, In this I will be confident.
4 One thing I have desired of the LORD, That will I seek: That I may dwell in the house of the LORD All the days of my life, To behold the beauty of the LORD, And to inquire in His temple.
5 For in the time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion; In the secret place of His tabernacle He shall hide me; He shall set me high upon a rock.
6 And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me; Therefore I will offer sacrifices of joy in His tabernacle; I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the LORD.
7 Hear, O LORD, when I cry with my voice! Have mercy also upon me, and answer me.
8 When You said, “Seek My face,” My heart said to You, “Your face, LORD, I will seek.”
9 Do not hide Your face from me; Do not turn Your servant away in anger. You have been my help; Do not leave me nor forsake me, O God of my salvation.
10 When my father and my mother forsake me, Then the LORD will take care of me.
11 Teach me Your way, O LORD, And lead me in a smooth path, because of my enemies.
12 Do not deliver me to the will of my adversaries; For false witnesses have risen against me, And such as breathe out violence.
13 I would have lost heart, unless I had believed That I would see the goodness of the LORD In the land of the living.
14 Wait on the LORD; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the LORD!

Christianity where the rubber meets the road

2010-09-11T22:18:00.005-04:00

Matthew 5

41If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. 42Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.

It's one thing to be nice to the people you like, and visit friends in the hospital (and feel pretty good about yourself for it), but what about those people who are just flat out unlovable? What about your neighbor who is grumpy and mean? I might consider myself quite virtuous for going two miles for a friend, but I am required to go two miles when I am forced to go one by someone - anyone. I am required to give and to lend to whoever asks. No justification, no arguments. Do I have enough faith to obey without question when everything in me is saying "this is not right, and it doesn't make sense?"

Do I need a god or a genie?

2010-08-28T12:44:00.003-04:00

Oswald Chambers had another winner for me today in his devotional about prayer. It's so interesting to listen to different perspectives on how people view prayer. I'm sure God is often amused to say the least. We think we know what we need, but that sometimes excludes the possibility that he might have very different plans for your life. Plans that will create ripple effects potentially impacting many other people. So do I need a genie who will oblige me by granting the wishes on my list, or do I need a god who knows the end from the beginning to be "a lamp to my feet and a light to my path"?

'To say that “prayer changes things” is not as close to the truth as saying, “Prayer changes me and then I change things.” God has established things so that prayer, on the basis of redemption, changes the way a person looks at things. Prayer is not a matter of changing things externally, but one of working miracles in a person’s inner nature.' My Utmost for His Highest - August 28th.

He is so good

2010-08-14T22:29:00.006-04:00

How quickly we sometimes forget what he has done for us, how many prayers he has answered and how many blessings freely given. Thank you.

Psalm 145
13 ... The LORD is faithful to all his promises and loving toward all he has made. 14 The LORD upholds all those who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down. 15 The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food at the proper time. 16 You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing. 17 The LORD is righteous in all his ways and loving toward all he has made. 18 The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.

Keep Trusting Him

2010-08-01T09:28:00.000-04:00

A Journey it is, for everyone. We all have different paths and different distractions that compete for our attention. If we can just trust and obey God, even when his way seems less desirable, less exciting, even when we get derailed, we will ultimately find that he knew best all along.

Psalm 37:23-24 (NIV)
23 If the LORD delights in a man's way, he makes his steps firm;
24 though he stumble, he will not fall, for the LORD upholds him with his hand.

His Purpose is the Process

2010-07-28T22:01:00.007-04:00

Oswald Chamber's "My Utmost for His Highest" is my all time favorite devotional. The original version was published in 1935 and it is so relevant every day. Today he talks about the paradigms we have about goals and finally "arriving" at a purpose. I am often concerned that another month/year/decade has gone by and I feel as though I have achieved very little for the kingdom of God. Chambers says that God is not working towards a particular finish - his purpose is the process itself. It is the process (moment by moment obedience along the way) not the outcome that is glorifying to God. For me this is such an encouraging perspective.

Those who obey his commands live in him, and he in them. And this is how we know that he lives in us: We know it by the Spirit he gave us. 1 John 3:24 (NIV)

Malachi and non-payment of the Tithe

2010-07-23T14:41:00.006-04:00

I'm not convinced that this is mandated for us under the "new covenant", any more than animal sacrifices are. I think it's all to do with the heart, and having a generous spirit. If God is working in you, you will want to give out of pure gratitude. The one who owns the cattle on 1,000 hills hardly needs our meager contributions, but he knows that it is good for us to give, like so many other things that we hate to do, such as forgive, love unconditionally, guard the tongue, etc.

Malachi 3
7 Ever since the time of your forefathers you have turned away from my decrees and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you," says the LORD Almighty.
"But you ask, 'How are we to return?'
8 "Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me.
"But you ask, 'How do we rob you?'
"In tithes and offerings. 9 You are under a curse—the whole nation of you—because you are robbing me. 10 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it. 11 I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not cast their fruit," says the LORD Almighty. 12 "Then all the nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land," says the LORD Almighty.

.... I think I am done with Malachi for the moment.

Malachi - the complaint that God is unjust

2010-07-19T16:55:00.009-04:00

I remember when my kids were young and their favorite complaint was "It's not fair!" Sometimes we would try and explain the seeming injustice and sometimes all one could do was shrug and say "Life's not Fair." Both are illustrative of God's responses to his people in these exchanges. Sometimes he explains - in this case the answer is that it has to do with timing. Wrongs will be righted in the end, in God's time. Sometimes he doesn't explain and we have to accept his sovereignty to do as it pleases him.

13 "You have said harsh things against me," says the LORD.
"Yet you ask, 'What have we said against you?'

14 "You have said, 'It is futile to serve God. What did we gain by carrying out his requirements and going about like mourners before the LORD Almighty? 15 But now we call the arrogant blessed. Certainly the evildoers prosper, and even those who challenge God escape.' "

16 Then those who feared the LORD talked with each other, and the LORD listened and heard. A scroll of remembrance was written in his presence concerning those who feared the LORD and honored his name.

17 "They will be mine," says the LORD Almighty, "in the day when I make up my treasured possession. [a] I will spare them, just as in compassion a man spares his son who serves him. 18 And you will again see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not.

Issues that separate families and communities

2010-07-13T16:42:00.007-04:00

Malachi 2
Sometimes it's hard to understand why God instituted these Old Testament rules but I guess it has to do with preserving the unity and even the continued existence of his people. In today's equivalent, when Christians marry outside of their faith, it has the potential to cause conflict between the couple and ultimately draw them away from God. That means that future generations are also lost. The same thing happens with divorce, and we don't need any further explanation concerning the damage this has done to families, communities, and ultimately nations.10 Have we not all one Father? Did not one God create us? Why do we profane the covenant of our fathers by breaking faith with one another? 11 Judah has broken faith. A detestable thing has been committed in Israel and in Jerusalem: Judah has desecrated the sanctuary the LORD loves, by marrying the daughter of a foreign god. 12 As for the man who does this, whoever he may be, may the LORD cut him off from the tents of Jacob —even though he brings offerings to the LORD Almighty. 13 Another thing you do: You flood the LORD's altar with tears. You weep and wail because he no longer pays attention to your offerings or accepts them with pleasure from your hands. 14 You ask, "Why?" It is because the LORD is acting as the witness between you and the wife of your youth, because you have broken faith with her, though she is your partner, the wife of your marriage covenant. 15 Has not the LORD made them one? In flesh and spirit they are his. And why one? Because he was seeking godly offspring. So guard yourself in your spirit, and do not break faith with the wife of your youth.

Malachi - a message for the priests

2010-07-12T09:46:00.002-04:00

I really don't know why I have waded into Malachi waist deep - its not the norm for this blog, but now that I'm here I need to finish this list of God's grievances. Again, this complaint could be ripped from today's newspapers. In a culture of political correctness, there are many Christian leaders who lack the courage to faithfully deliver God's word. I guess it comes down to fearing man rather than God.

1 "And now this indictment, you priests! If you refuse to obediently listen, and if you refuse to honor me, God-of-the-Angel-Armies, in worship, then I'll put you under a curse.
7-9"It's the job of priests to teach the truth. People are supposed to look to them for guidance. The priest is the messenger of God-of-the-Angel-Armies. But you priests have abandoned the way of priests. Your teaching has messed up many lives.
(The Message translation)

Giving honor where honor is due (Malachi cont.)

2010-07-08T21:33:00.007-04:00

So would I bring spoiled leftovers to my bosses' dinner party? Surely I wouldn't think of of wrapping a broken vase and giving it to my mother for her birthday. Or squeeze a few hurried moments for my child in between dinner and a favorite TV program? Why then should I ever give God any less than his due? Do I think he doesn't notice?

6 "A son honors his father, and a servant his master. If I am a father, where is the honor due me? If I am a master, where is the respect due me?" says the LORD Almighty. "It is you, O priests, who show contempt for my name. "But you ask, 'How have we shown contempt for your name?' 7 "You place defiled food on my altar. "But you ask, 'How have we defiled you?' "By saying that the LORD's table is contemptible. 8 When you bring blind animals for sacrifice, is that not wrong? When you sacrifice crippled or diseased animals, is that not wrong? Try offering them to your governor! Would he be pleased with you? Would he accept you?" says the LORD Almighty.
14 "Cursed is the cheat who has an acceptable male in his flock and vows to give it, but then sacrifices a blemished animal to the Lord. For I am a great king," says the LORD Almighty, "and my name is to be feared among the nations."

Words for today from Malachi (messenger)

2010-07-07T15:27:00.004-04:00

Sometimes we skip over some of the lesser known OT prophets. The only thing that most people know about this book is the passage about tithing, but that was just one issue that God had with his people at that time. First though, he prefaces his message with the fact that he has loved them. Interestingly the book takes the form of a debate with the people saying "Prove it" (my paraphrasing) and God does in his reply:

2 "I have loved you," says the LORD. "But you ask, 'How have you loved us?' "Was not Esau Jacob's brother?" the LORD says. "Yet I have loved Jacob, 3 but Esau I have hated, and I have turned his mountains into a wasteland and left his inheritance to the desert jackals."
4 Edom may say, "Though we have been crushed, we will rebuild the ruins." But this is what the LORD Almighty says: "They may build, but I will demolish. They will be called the Wicked Land, a people always under the wrath of the LORD. 5 You will see it with your own eyes and say, 'Great is the LORD -even beyond the borders of Israel!'

I thought I would cover these issues over the next couple of entries because they are so relevant for me today. The first one, in a nutshell, is a lack of respect.

Image: Edom in southern Jordan from the Kings Highway - ancient caravan/trading route.

Being Slow to Judge

2010-06-22T08:33:00.008-04:00

The Bible has a lot to say about making judgment calls, and it's something I'm convicted of often. It's just bound up with our human (sin) nature to weigh a matter and make a determination, but when it comes to people we can never have all the facts and our conclusions will always be flawed. How much more productive would it be if our response was as Paul describes in 1 Corinthians 13:7 ".. (Love) puts up with anything, Trusts God always, Always looks for the best, Never looks back, But keeps going to the end." (The Message translation).

How many relationships would still be intact and how many hurts could we have avoided along the way? Oswald Chambers' "My Utmost for His Highest" is my all time favorite daily devotional and this is his topic today. He refers back to Psalm 18:25-26
"With the kind You show Yourself kind; With the blameless You show Yourself blameless; With the pure You show Yourself pure, And with the crooked You show Yourself astute."
Certainly something for me to ponder ...

The Church vs. the Gates of Hell

2010-06-06T21:44:00.004-04:00

Matthew 16:18 (KJV)
And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
I always understood this to mean that the gates of hell (the aggressor) would not be able to destroy the church. The NIV supports that understanding, translating it this way:
18And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.
However, I got to thinking about the word "prevail" and looked it up in the dictionary. The meaning in this context would be "to be or prove superior in strength, power, or influence (usually fol. by over): They prevailed over their enemies in the battle."
This subtely changes the meaning of the passage, because whereas my previous understanding taught that the church would withstand the attacks of hell, in the alternative "spin", the church is the "overcomer" and the gates of hell will be unable to withstand its superior strength, power and influence. In other words the church is pictured as the aggressor against the very gates of hell rather than the other way around.

Uniquely created for a purpose

2010-05-31T17:12:00.004-04:00

I'm not the scientific type, but it blows me away to think that there is no one else with my DNA. We didn't even know about DNA until fairly recently and its ironic that each time we get a little smarter, we discover how much more we don't know. Not only were we uniquely created, but along with that came a detailed plan of how each life would be lived. I stand amazed.

Psalm 139 (NLT)
13 You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it.
15 You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb.
16 You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.

Continuing with the fruit theme

2010-05-25T07:07:00.000-04:00

John 15:16-17

¹⁶You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. ¹⁷This is my command: Love each other.

This statement has always intrigued me because it sounds as though my path was already chosen for me. Without going into the "election vs. predestination" debate, I am comfortable believing that God calls everyone, but because he operates outside of time as we know it, he already knows, and has always known which ones will respond to his invitation. So, now I have an appointment to bear lasting fruit, eternal fruit for the purpose of glorifying God. Life is so short, and how ashamed I will feel one day if I squander my time. Even if I'm not always sure what fruit I'm supposed to bear, the least I can do is practice love.

Study the fruit

2010-05-13T14:58:00.003-04:00

Matthew 7:16-20

¹⁶By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? ¹⁷Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. ¹⁸A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. ¹⁹Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. ²⁰Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.

Good advice for evaluating a source of counsel, a potential friend or mentor. It also causes me to stop and think about the quality of fruit I'm producing. That thought segues into how to produce the best possible fruit, which then takes me to John 15:5-8:

⁵"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. ⁶If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. ⁷If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. ⁸This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

Farewell Stu

2010-05-04T09:49:00.001-04:00

Today we lost a good friend and a great man. Stuart Force slipped peacefully into eternity this morning. He was 86 years old, although he was always as active and as engaged in life as someone much younger. A war hero, family man, and loved by many. Rest for now, and we will meet again. Our prayers and thoughts are with the family. Funeral will be Saturday morning at St. James on James Island.

John 6:35-40 (NLT)

³⁵ Jesus replied, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. ³⁶ But you haven’t believed in me even though you have seen me. ³⁷ However, those the Father has given me will come to me, and I will never reject them. ³⁸ For I have come down from heaven to do the will of God who sent me, not to do my own will. ³⁹ And this is the will of God, that I should not lose even one of all those he has given me, but that I should raise them up at the last day. ⁴⁰ For it is my Father’s will that all who see his Son and believe in him should have eternal life. I will raise them up at the last day.”

All things bright and beautiful

2010-04-29T10:45:00.001-04:00

I continue to be amazed at the beauty of God's creation and the imaginative creativity of the incredible mind that conceived it all. The childrens' song "..each little flower that opens, each little bird that sings, he made their glowing colors, he made their tiny wings ..." Here's an adult version:

Psalm 148

¹ Praise the LORD. Praise the LORD from the heavens, praise him in the heights above.
² Praise him, all his angels, praise him, all his heavenly hosts.
³ Praise him, sun and moon, praise him, all you shining stars.
⁴ Praise him, you highest heavens and you waters above the skies.
⁵ Let them praise the name of the LORD, for he commanded and they were created.
⁶ He set them in place for ever and ever; he gave a decree that will never pass away.

God's Economy

2010-04-20T20:15:00.001-04:00

I know I have posted on this subject before, but I obviously needed reminding, so maybe others do too. Never measure the amount of time and effort you put out for others, believing that your reward will not be adequate compensation. God can take care of it; maybe not returning kind for kind, but returning more than you deserve in ways that only He can. I have just been given a prize assignment and I know what it is linked to; something that was asked of me that I gave, albeit a little grudgingly. Shame on me.
2 Corinthians 9
6 Remember this—a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop. 7 You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.” 8 And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others. 9 As the Scriptures say, “They share freely and give generously to the poor. Their good deeds will be remembered forever.” 10 For God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, he will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in you.

Living right

2010-04-13T08:32:00.000-04:00

God help me to do this a little better every day.
Colossians 3
¹²Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. ¹³Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. ¹⁴And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

Happy Easter

2010-04-04T11:30:00.001-04:00

Before Adam and Eve ate from the forbidden tree, God had a plan to redeem what He knew would be lost.

Jeremiah 29:
11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

Thousands of years later, Paul describes it this way

Colossians 2
13When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, 14having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross. 15And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.

Truth and Lies

2010-03-25T08:24:00.001-04:00

I need to remember not to feel discouraged or slighted if a friend or neighbor doesn't want anything to do with hearing God's Word. It's nothing personal. The culture of the day says that we are in control of our own destinies, and what we can't control is some kind of fate. Over the years, the truth has become a whimsical fairy tale, useful for those who don't have the fortitude to handle life alone. What a clever deception and so sad.

1 John 4:4-6

⁴You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. ⁵They are from the world and therefore speak from the viewpoint of the world, and the world listens to them. ⁶We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us; but whoever is not from God does not listen to us. This is how we recognize the Spirit of truth and the spirit of falsehood.

Safe - Phil Wickham

2010-03-18T15:47:00.002-04:00

Every so often I hear a song on Christian radio that reaches beyond the pack in its ability to "connect". This is such a song. I heard it in the car as I was driving to work and just knew I had to post it for someone. Probably for all of us at different times of our lives.

Verse 1:
To the one who's dreams are falling all apart
And all you're left with is a tired and broken heart
I can tell by your eyes you think you're on your own
but you're not all alone

Have you heard of the One who can calm the raging seas
Give sight to the blind, pull the lame up to their feet
With a love so strong and never let you go
oh you're not alone

Chorus:
You will be safe in His arms
You will be safe in His arms
'Cause the hands that hold the world are holding your heart
This is the promise He made
He will be with You always
When everything is falling apart
You will be safe in His arms

Verse 2:
Did you know that the voice that brings the dead to life
Is the very same voice that calls you to rise
So hear Him now He's calling you home
You will never be alone

Bridge:
These are the hands that built the mountains
the hands that calm the seas
These are the arms that hold the heavens
they are holding you and me

These are hands that healed the leper
Pulled the lame up to their feet
These are the arms that were nailed to a cross
to break our chains and set us free

The things that really count

2010-03-17T11:22:00.004-04:00

I’ve been immersed in Jeremiah lately - heavy going and seemingly endless. This morning I flipped to 1 Peter for some light relief. It reminded me to focus on the things that really count, the things that will last for eternity.

1 Peter 4 (Translation: The Message)

^7-11Everything in the world is about to be wrapped up, so take nothing for granted. Stay wide-awake in prayer. Most of all, love each other as if your life depended on it. Love makes up for practically anything. Be quick to give a meal to the hungry, a bed to the homeless—cheerfully. Be generous with the different things God gave you, passing them around so all get in on it: if words, let it be God's words; if help, let it be God's hearty help. That way, God's bright presence will be evident in everything through Jesus, and he'll get all the credit as the One mighty in everything—encores to the end of time. Oh, yes!

Love and Faithfulness

2010-03-06T21:03:00.004-05:00

Psalm 85:8-12
8 I will listen to what God the LORD will say; he promises peace to his people, his saints— but let them not return to folly.
9 Surely his salvation is near those who fear him, that his glory may dwell in our land.
10 Love and faithfulness meet together; righteousness and peace kiss each other.
11 Faithfulness springs forth from the earth, and righteousness looks down from heaven.
12 The LORD will indeed give what is good, and our land will yield its harvest.
13 Righteousness goes before him and prepares the way for his steps.

Blessing for Leigh & Josh

2010-02-12T21:06:00.001-05:00

The cycle of life - children never belong to you. You get to raise them, train them, love them, and then they're off on their own to repeat the whole process.

Psalm 128

1 Blessed are all who fear the LORD, who walk in his ways.

2 You will eat the fruit of your labor; blessings and prosperity will be yours.

3 Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house; your sons will be like olive shoots around your table.

4 Thus is the man blessed who fears the LORD.

5 May the LORD bless you from Zion all the days of your life; may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem,

6 and may you live to see your children's children. Peace be upon Israel.

photo by Nicole

He will always be there for you

2010-02-08T08:22:00.003-05:00

This is such a familiar psalm - everyone knows it and probably could recite at least the first few verses by heart. These last few got my attention this morning.

Psalm 121
5 The LORD watches over you—
the LORD is your shade at your right hand;

6 the sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon by night.

7 The LORD will keep you from all harm—
he will watch over your life;

8 the LORD will watch over your coming and going
both now and forevermore.

To Understand and Know the Lord

2010-02-04T08:26:00.003-05:00

Again and again we are reminded of our priorities. It is a thread that runs through scripture, "seek ye first the kingdom of God" etc. This is a great word from Jeremiah.

Jeremiah 9
23 This is what the LORD says: "Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom or the strong man boast of his strength or the rich man boast of his riches,

24 but let him who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows me,that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight," declares the LORD.

His Name is Faithful and True

2010-01-29T13:48:00.003-05:00

I was sorting through some scanned images of the kids when they were small, and came across a digital image that I had created over 20 years ago when my son was dedicated. The scripture that our pastor in South Africa had spoken over him was from Job 22:21-22, and all this time later I see how perfect it was for him.

21 "Submit to God and be at peace with him;
in this way prosperity will come to you.

22 Accept instruction from his mouth
and lay up his words in your heart.

I also know that He who begins a good work is faithful to complete it (Philippians 1:6) and that when God's Word is spoken it accomplishes the purpose for which it was sent (Isaiah 55:11)

Trust Him - He knows what's good for you

2010-01-20T10:28:00.003-05:00

Life is an obstacle course, a roller coaster ride, and to continue the cliched analogies, certainly not plain sailing. It's easier to rejoice in God's promises when you're at the top than the bottom. Lord, give us the faith we need to take You at your word, and Your peace that is evidence of Your presence and love for us.

Psalm 30
1 I will exalt you, O LORD, for you lifted me out of the depths and did not let my enemies gloat over me.
2 O LORD my God, I called to you for help and you healed me.
3 O LORD, you brought me up from the grave; you spared me from going down into the pit.
4 Sing to the LORD, you saints of his; praise his holy name.
5 For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.
6 When I felt secure, I said, "I will never be shaken."
7 O LORD, when you favored me, you made my mountain [c] stand firm; but when you hid your face, I was dismayed.
8 To you, O LORD, I called; to the Lord I cried for mercy:
9 "What gain is there in my destruction, in my going down into the pit? Will the dust praise you? Will it proclaim your faithfulness?
10 Hear, O LORD, and be merciful to me; O LORD, be my help."
11 You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy,
12 that my heart may sing to you and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give you thanks forever.

For a worried friend

2010-01-13T16:22:00.003-05:00

I have a friend who is scheduled to have a malignant growth removed on Friday, but he has the flu and might have to postpone the surgery. He is understandably concerned about health issues, family issues, provision issues. May the Lord bless him with His perfect peace. This scripture is for him.

Psalm 34
4 I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.
5 Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.
6 This poor man called, and the LORD heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles.
7 The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them.
8 Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.
9 Fear the LORD, you his saints, for those who fear him lack nothing.
10 The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.

So grateful

2010-01-07T20:37:00.004-05:00

So grateful for the breath in my lungs and for good health. Everything added to that is blessing upon blessing. Right now "Thank you" seems inadequate for the company of wonderful family, the gift of friends (family you get to pick), provision, the celebration of a marriage, safe travels of so many people driving and flying long distances. I am definitely counting my blessings.

Psalm 105
1 Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name;
make known among the nations what he has done.

2 Sing to him, sing praise to him;
tell of all his wonderful acts.

3 Glory in his holy name;
let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice.

4 Look to the LORD and his strength;
seek his face always.

Almost another full circuit around the sun

2009-12-28T15:38:00.004-05:00

It's that time again when we take inventory of a year almost gone. We contemplate the past, weighing successes and failures, resolving to do better next year, to be a kinder person, more patient, fill in the blank .. Time is precious because our days are numbered on this earth. Truth is that we will always fail in our own strength, which is why we needed Christmas in the first place.

Micah 6:8
8 He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.

Philippians 1:6
6For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.

An Eternal Christmas

2009-12-21T08:47:00.003-05:00

We tend to think of Jesus being born 2,000 years ago, but that was just when he revealed himself to mankind. He has always been and will always be. At Christmas though, I am reminded that He cared enough to come for us, to make a way home for us.

John 1.1-5 (New Living Translation)
1 In the beginning the Word already existed.The Word was with God,and the Word was God.
2 He existed in the beginning with God.
3 God created everything through him,and nothing was created except through him.
4 The Word gave life to everything that was created,and his life brought light to everyone.
5 The light shines in the darkness,and the darkness can never extinguish it.

The Harvest

2009-12-12T08:36:00.005-05:00

I cannot help but think of this scripture when reflecting on the events of the last few days. However sad and incomprehensible Nancy's illness and death is for those who love her, I believe that God will use it for his purposes, both through the example of her life, and also through the impact of her memorial service and other events surrounding her death.

John 12
24I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. 25The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.

You Rock Nancy - Love Ya, See Ya!

2009-12-09T21:53:00.003-05:00

This was what we saw with our physical eyes as we said goodbye in the rain this afternoon, but Nancy was long gone. She was singing the Revelation Song - in perfect pitch.

Revelation 4:2-11
2At once I was in the Spirit, and there before me was a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it. 3And the one who sat there had the appearance of jasper and carnelian. A rainbow, resembling an emerald, encircled the throne. 4Surrounding the throne were twenty-four other thrones, and seated on them were twenty-four elders. They were dressed in white and had crowns of gold on their heads. 5From the throne came flashes of lightning, rumblings and peals of thunder. Before the throne, seven lamps were blazing. These are the seven spirits[a] of God. 6Also before the throne there was what looked like a sea of glass, clear as crystal.
In the center, around the throne, were four living creatures, and they were covered with eyes, in front and in back. 7The first living creature was like a lion, the second was like an ox, the third had a face like a man, the fourth was like a flying eagle. 8Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under his wings. Day and night they never stop saying: "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come." 9Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to him who sits on the throne and who lives for ever and ever, 10the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne, and worship him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say:
11"You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being."

No weeping, No hurt or pain ..

2009-12-05T08:15:00.005-05:00

Nancy dear friend - We'll meet again

You Hold Me Now (Hillsong)

On that day when I see all that You have for me
When I see You face to face there surrounded by Your grace
All my fear is swept away in the light of your embrace
When Your love is all I need and forever I am free
Where the streets are made of gold in Your presence healed and whole
Let the songs of heaven rise to you alone

No weeping, no hurt or pain
No suffering You hold me now
You hold me now
No darkness no sick or lame
No hiding You hold me now,
You hold me now

In this life I will stand through my joy and my pain
Knowing there's a greater day there's a hope that never fails
When Your name is lifted high and forever praises rise
For the glory of Your Name I'm believing for the day
When the wars and violence cease all creation lives in peace
Let the songs of heaven rise to you alone

No weeping, no hurt or pain
No suffering You hold me now
You hold me now
No darkness, no sick or lame
No hiding You hold me now,
You hold me now

For eternity
All my heart will give
All the glory to Your name

When you're tired and sad ...

2009-12-01T20:44:00.004-05:00

Matthew 11
28"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

Isaiah 40
29 He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.
30 Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall;
31 but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

Thanksgiving

2009-11-26T18:42:00.004-05:00

A day to reflect on so many blessings, and to remember to give generously to others.

2 Corinthians 9:6-15
6 Remember this — a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop. 7 You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.” 8 And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others. 9 As the Scriptures say, “They share freely and give generously to the poor. Their good deeds will be remembered forever.”
10 For God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, he will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in you.
11 Yes, you will be enriched in every way so that you can always be generous. And when we take your gifts to those who need them, they will thank God. 12 So two good things will result from this ministry of giving—the needs of the believers in Jerusalem will be met, and they will joyfully express their thanks to God.
13 As a result of your ministry, they will give glory to God. For your generosity to them and to all believers will prove that you are obedient to the Good News of Christ. 14 And they will pray for you with deep affection because of the overflowing grace God has given to you. 15 Thank God for this gift too wonderful for words!

Trusting in the faithfulness of God

2009-11-23T21:01:00.001-05:00

Psalm 34 (Nancy's Psalm)
4 I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.
5 Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.
6 This poor man called, and the LORD heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles.
7 The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them.
8 Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.
9 Fear the LORD, you his saints, for those who fear him lack nothing.
10 The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.

Wisdom and Understanding

2009-11-17T16:18:00.005-05:00

I am still plowing through Job and although the discourses and monologues can get lengthy (and sometimes seemingly redundant) I am continually blown away by the imagery and poetry it contains.

Job 28
20 "Where then does wisdom come from? Where does understanding dwell?
21 It is hidden from the eyes of every living thing, concealed even from the birds of the air.
22 Destruction and Death say, 'Only a rumor of it has reached our ears.'
23 God understands the way to it and he alone knows where it dwells,
24 for he views the ends of the earth and sees everything under the heavens.
25 When he established the force of the wind and measured out the waters,
26 when he made a decree for the rain and a path for the thunderstorm,
27 then he looked at wisdom and appraised it; he confirmed it and tested it.
28 And he said to man, 'The fear of the Lord—that is wisdom, and to shun evil is understanding.' "

The promise of a new thing

2009-11-11T18:46:00.006-05:00

If you're beginning to feel like you've been there, done that. Like you've been on hold for awhile and this elevator music is becoming really irritating ... there is a new thing coming. It's like seasons - they always change at the appointed time. Which reminds me; it seems like the marsh grass turned brown almost overnight and suddenly some of my trees have no leaves.

Isaiah 43

16 This is what the LORD says—
he who made a way through the sea, a path through the mighty waters,

17 who drew out the chariots and horses, the army and reinforcements together, and they lay there, never to rise again, extinguished, snuffed out like a wick:

18 "Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.

19 See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.

20 The wild animals honor me, the jackals and the owls, because I provide water in the desert and streams in the wasteland, to give drink to my people, my chosen,

21 the people I formed for myself that they may proclaim my praise.

2009-11-06T09:48:00.002-05:00

I’m sure I’m like most of us – wanting a reason or an explanation for things that happen. I like to understand things clearly, probably because it makes me feel more in control of them – which of course is an illusion. So often situations defy human logic, as it must have seemed for Job – a really Godly man, brought to ruin almost overnight and struggling to understand why. So, looking for answers, I re-visited this strange book that is almost mythological in style.
Job 9
1 Then Job replied:
2 "Indeed, I know that this is true. But how can a mortal be righteous before God?
3 Though one wished to dispute with him, he could not answer him one time out of a thousand.
4 His wisdom is profound, his power is vast. Who has resisted him and come out unscathed?
5 He moves mountains without their knowing it and overturns them in his anger.
6 He shakes the earth from its place and makes its pillars tremble.
7 He speaks to the sun and it does not shine; he seals off the light of the stars.
8 He alone stretches out the heavens and treads on the waves of the sea.
9 He is the Maker of the Bear and Orion, the Pleiades and the constellations of the south.
10 He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed, miracles that cannot be counted.
11 When he passes me, I cannot see him; when he goes by, I cannot perceive him.
12 If he snatches away, who can stop him? Who can say to him, 'What are you doing?'
13 God does not restrain his anger; even the cohorts of Rahab cowered at his feet.
14 "How then can I dispute with him? How can I find words to argue with him?
22 It is all the same; that is why I say, 'He destroys both the blameless and the wicked.'
32 "He is not a man like me that I might answer him, that we might confront each other in court.
33 If only there were someone to arbitrate between us, to lay his hand upon us both,
34 someone to remove God's rod from me, so that his terror would frighten me no more.
35 Then I would speak up without fear of him, but as it now stands with me, I cannot.

I have no answers, other than that God does as He pleases.

Pulling hard for Nancy

2009-11-04T17:53:00.007-05:00

I spent some time with my friend Nancy today, just sitting on the porch, not saying much. When you are in a desperate fight for your very life, there are not many words that haven't already been said, and casual chatter is irrelevant. If you are reading this blog, please pray that we will not lose her, and those who love her need to harass God on her behalf.

Luke 18:1-7 (Version: The Message)
1-3Jesus told them a story showing that it was necessary for them to pray consistently and never quit. He said, "There was once a judge in some city who never gave God a thought and cared nothing for people. A widow in that city kept after him: 'My rights are being violated. Protect me!'
4-5"He never gave her the time of day. But after this went on and on he said to himself, 'I care nothing what God thinks, even less what people think. But because this widow won't quit badgering me, I'd better do something and see that she gets justice—otherwise I'm going to end up beaten black-and-blue by her pounding.'"
6-7Then the Master said, "Do you hear what that judge, corrupt as he is, is saying? So what makes you think God won't step in and work justice for his chosen people, who continue to cry out for help? Won't he stick up for them? I assure you, he will.

Fact or Fiction?

2009-11-01T20:58:00.004-05:00

Some things just can't be explained, neatly categorized and filed. One of those things is the acceptance of the existence of a sovereign creator, and his involvement in the affairs of men. When you don't know, it's a concept too crazy to contemplate, much less accept. When you do know, nothing can convince you otherwise.
1 Corinthians 2:14
The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.

Uncertain times

2009-10-27T22:41:00.002-04:00

Psalm 139
Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.

See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

Why the endless waiting?

2009-10-14T16:37:00.007-04:00

Sometimes it seems the waiting stretches endlessly. You wait for good things, for good people, and it seems that for such a powerful God it wouldn't take much to fix. Seemingly simple. So why doesn't it happen? I don't know, and at times I'm distracted so I don't notice for a period, but then it's back in my face - again. So I have to encourage myself to keep waiting and not give up. Because to give up would lead to the assumption that He doesn't care.

Lamentations 3
24 I say to myself, "The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him."
25 The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him;
26 it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD.
27 It is good for a man to bear the yoke while he is young.
28 Let him sit alone in silence, for the LORD has laid it on him.
29 Let him bury his face in the dust—there may yet be hope.
30 Let him offer his cheek to one who would strike him,and let him be filled with disgrace.
31 For men are not cast off by the Lord forever.
32 Though he brings grief, he will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love.
33 For he does not willingly bring affliction or grief to the children of men.

Acknowledging the source of all good things

2009-10-06T09:58:00.005-04:00

Psalm 16: 1-8
1 Keep me safe, O God, for in you I take refuge.
2 I said to the LORD, "You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing."
3 As for the saints who are in the land, they are the glorious ones in whom is all my delight.
4 The sorrows of those will increase who run after other gods.
I will not pour out their libations of blood or take up their names on my lips.
5 LORD, you have assigned me my portion and my cup; you have made my lot secure.
6 The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance.
7 I will praise the LORD, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me.
8 I have set the LORD always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.

A different take on a familiar scripture

2009-09-29T16:06:00.003-04:00

Many of us are familiar with Galations 5:22-23 "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law." But here's an interesting perspective on the same verses from "The Message" translation.
"But what happens when we live God's way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard—things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely."

A contemporary hymn - Chris Tomlin's "Indescribable"

2009-09-25T00:25:00.005-04:00

Driving through untamed wilderness, watching the sky lighten and feeling awestruck at the beauty of it all; listening to Chris Tomlin's "Indescribable" on my ipod - it just fits. Involuntary praise is the only possible response. It's important to reconnect with the basics. Kinda re-sets your priorities.

From the highest of heights to the depths of the sea
Creation's revealing Your majesty
From the colors of fall to the fragrance of spring
Every creature unique in the song that it sings
All exclaiming

Indescribable, uncontainable,
You placed the stars in the sky and You know them by name.
You are amazing God
All powerful, untameable,
Awestruck we fall to our knees as we humbly proclaim
You are amazing God

Who has told every lightning bolt where it should go
Or seen heavenly storehouses laden with snow
Who imagined the sun and gives source to its light
Yet conceals it to bring us the coolness of night
None can fathom

Indescribable, uncontainable,
You placed the stars in the sky and You know them by name.
You are amazing God
Incomparable, unchangeable
You see the depths of my heart and You love me the same
You are amazing God
You are amazing God

Does God show off? You betcha!

2009-09-20T22:57:00.005-04:00

It's hard to explore God's creation and not be in awe of His handiwork, especially if you are creatively inclined yourself. It's like paying homage to the master. There's nothing anyone can teach Him about artistry. This image, taken this evening in the Grand Teton National Park more than proves my point. This is really how it was - no enhancement necessary.

Isaiah 40:26-28
26 Lift your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these?
He who brings out the starry host one by one, and calls them each by name.
Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing.

27 Why do you say, O Jacob, and complain, O Israel,
"My way is hidden from the LORD; my cause is disregarded by my God"?

28 Do you not know? Have you not heard?
The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.

Getting my head around eternity

2009-09-14T05:29:00.005-04:00

Some things are just too mind-bending for me to wrestle with, like eternity. How can there not be a beginning or an end to something? We think in terms of time lines, but this has to be a time circle. Jesus says in Revelation 22:13 "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.” and that must be for our benefit to illustrate his eternal status, because there really was no beginning and there will be no end, right? Then I remember that Paul said in 1 Corinthians 11-13 "When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. 12Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known." I guess I'll have to be content with that for now.

John 1
Prologue: Christ, the Eternal Word
1 In the beginning the Word already existed.
The Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2 He existed in the beginning with God.
3 God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him.
4 The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone.
5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.

Promises of God - He is completely in control

2009-09-10T10:48:00.004-04:00

Isaiah 46
3 "Listen to me, O house of Jacob,
all you who remain of the house of Israel,you whom I have upheld since you were conceived, and have carried since your birth.
4 Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you.
I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.
5 "To whom will you compare me or count me equal? To whom will you liken me that we may be compared?
9 Remember the former things, those of long ago; I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me.
10 I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say: My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.
11 From the east I summon a bird of prey; from a far-off land, a man to fulfill my purpose. What I have said, that will I bring about; what I have planned, that will I do.

Old lessons re-learned

2009-09-02T10:21:00.008-04:00

Isn't it funny how we learn things and then we eventually forget them, only to re-learn them later and have it seem like brand new revelation. At least that's the way it is with me. Someone close to me was hurt deeply by a longtime friend and was having a problem endlessly re-playing and role-playing the scenario. A similar thing happened to me recently, so God told me to pray for that person every time I thought about it. There is a spiritual dynamic that takes place when you do that, and not only does the hurt gradually dissipate, but you think about it less often. A wise and much younger believer observed that if Satan discovers that you pray every time he drags it up again, he will stop reminding you, because of course he doesn't like it when we pray. Win win all round!!
Matthew 5:43 (The Message)
43-47"You're familiar with the old written law, 'Love your friend,' and its unwritten companion, 'Hate your enemy.' I'm challenging that. I'm telling you to love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer, for then you are working out of your true selves, your God-created selves. This is what God does. He gives his best—the sun to warm and the rain to nourish—to everyone, regardless: the good and bad, the nice and nasty. If all you do is love the lovable, do you expect a bonus? Anybody can do that. If you simply say hello to those who greet you, do you expect a medal? Any run-of-the-mill sinner does that.

For those who are just hanging in there ...

2009-09-01T16:07:00.005-04:00

There are seasons for everything, and when the season sucks, the good news is that it always changes - eventually.
Habakkuk 3
17 Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food,
though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls,
18 yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior.

God's Promises - He will never let you go

2009-08-29T19:30:00.002-04:00

"My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand."
John 10:27-29

Promises of God - He will provide for you

2009-08-24T08:18:00.010-04:00

I have seen personally over the years how easily money can come and go. Even as you metaphorically clutch your safest investment in your hands, it can slip through your fingers like sand, either because of prevailing market forces, dishonest managers, you name it. There is only one "safe" place to put it, a place that will deliver your dividends in time to meet your needs. It is indeed a promise from God, and an ongoing test for me, even though He says you can test Him on this one.

Malachi 3
10 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it. 11 I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not cast their fruit," says the LORD Almighty. 12 "Then all the nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land," says the LORD Almighty.

JEHOVAH-JIREH: "The Lord will Provide."

Promises of God - He will protect you

2009-08-20T21:22:00.005-04:00

Psalm 37
23 If the LORD delights in a man's way,
he makes his steps firm;

24 though he stumble, he will not fall,
for the LORD upholds him with his hand.

25 I was young and now I am old,
yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken
or their children begging bread.

26 They are always generous and lend freely;
their children will be blessed.

JEHOVAH-SABAOTH: "The Lord of Hosts"