I'm sorry I haven't shared anything in several weeks. Frankly, I am struggling to stay focused enough to finish the editing of my first solo book, as the woes of my circumstances threaten to overtake my emotions. Staying focused on God has been my saving grace.
God has been faithful, and through Him I find joy and direction. But still the struggle is daily. The other day as I read my devotional reading I came across a rough draft of a note of encouragement I apparently wrote several years ago. Wouldn't you know it was like I wrote a note to myself.
The first scripture I encouraged the reader to look at was Psalm 138. The verses felt like they were written for me. That's when I realized that nothing I am going through is new to God. He has been here before. Nothing that happens in today's world is new to Him. He's seen it all. He made the human body and knows how delicate it can be. How one wrong thing happening within can trigger all kinds of changes. Changes that send out ripple effects to everyone around.
Again I find that I need to stay focused on Him. Only then can I find my way through the muck and foggy state of my current situation. I encourage each of you to do the same. You don't have to be going through awful situations to look to God for direction. But I can tell you that by doing so, you will find a peace that you are not alone and that someone bigger than you or me is on our side. Let me know how it's going for you.
Tuesday, October 27, 2015
Friday, September 25, 2015
Navigating The Wilderness
I have been given a vision of promise for the future. A goal from God, so to speak. Have you ever been given such a word? Maybe it's the vision of a particular ministry or outreach you will be a part of. If so, then you know what I mean about seeing the possibilities of what will be.
Recently I was reading Acts 7. Stephen is speaking to the Sanhedrin and reminding them of Israel's experience in leaving Egypt and traveling to the promise land. At first the Israelites knew where they were headed - a land where sustenance would be found and the harshness of the Egyptian life could be forgotten. But they took their eyes off the promise and let the worries and discomforts of the wilderness they had to traverse cause them to look back to Egypt as though it was a good thing.
They were so unhappy with being uncomfortable and not knowing what lied ahead that they preferred to consider leaving a God who provided shade in the heat of day, light overhead in the dark of night, and, how can we forget, manna. They wanted to return to poverty and beatings. They even wanted to worship a golden calf rather than the God who had proven Himself over and over again.
You're probably thinking, "How could they ever do such a thing?" The place these people left was awful. Who would even look back when there's the promise of freedom, peace, joy, happiness just ahead? Well, I'm here to say that I was convicted of doing the same thing as I read Acts 7. Now granted, I'm not traveling away from the same terrible things the Israelites experienced. But, I was lingering on the "what if's." My understanding from God was that every time I thought about a different word or action I would've, could've, should've taken I turned my eyes from the promise land and looked back to Egypt, so to speak. I don't want to do that.
I want the better life of the promise land. Don't you? What goal has God given you? Are you just starting out? Know that there will be a wilderness before you get to the final goal. Hopefully, it won't be forty long years for us, but it may feel like it. So no matter what comes our way, let's keep our eyes on the promise of the future and leave the lesser way behind us. May God have greater mercy on you and I as we work to maintain the right focus on the goal He has set before us.
Recently I was reading Acts 7. Stephen is speaking to the Sanhedrin and reminding them of Israel's experience in leaving Egypt and traveling to the promise land. At first the Israelites knew where they were headed - a land where sustenance would be found and the harshness of the Egyptian life could be forgotten. But they took their eyes off the promise and let the worries and discomforts of the wilderness they had to traverse cause them to look back to Egypt as though it was a good thing.
They were so unhappy with being uncomfortable and not knowing what lied ahead that they preferred to consider leaving a God who provided shade in the heat of day, light overhead in the dark of night, and, how can we forget, manna. They wanted to return to poverty and beatings. They even wanted to worship a golden calf rather than the God who had proven Himself over and over again.
You're probably thinking, "How could they ever do such a thing?" The place these people left was awful. Who would even look back when there's the promise of freedom, peace, joy, happiness just ahead? Well, I'm here to say that I was convicted of doing the same thing as I read Acts 7. Now granted, I'm not traveling away from the same terrible things the Israelites experienced. But, I was lingering on the "what if's." My understanding from God was that every time I thought about a different word or action I would've, could've, should've taken I turned my eyes from the promise land and looked back to Egypt, so to speak. I don't want to do that.
I want the better life of the promise land. Don't you? What goal has God given you? Are you just starting out? Know that there will be a wilderness before you get to the final goal. Hopefully, it won't be forty long years for us, but it may feel like it. So no matter what comes our way, let's keep our eyes on the promise of the future and leave the lesser way behind us. May God have greater mercy on you and I as we work to maintain the right focus on the goal He has set before us.
Tuesday, September 8, 2015
Where Is Peace?
Are you looking for peace? What kind of peace do you want? Do want peace between countries, so that the news won't be filled with who is blowing up cities and the people in them?
I've heard it said that the days of Rome were peaceful times. But if you look closely, you'll see that they used military force whenever and wherever it was needed in order to maintain that peace. I'm sure there were many who didn't think of the Romans as peacemakers.
Right now, we do not live in a time of peace. There are so many groups who want to see the great and mighty countries of the world fall so that their smaller regimes can prosper, and maybe even bring about a religious end to the world. On the one hand, we have leaders saying the current treaty will bring peace, while other leaders warn us of the ulterior motive of the treaty signers. Do you find peace in this? I don't.
So many people are looking for peace to come from their fellow man. That type of peace will always be elusive because man is finicky. He can't even trust himself. Where I do find peace is not from outside sources, but from God.
In recent months I've heard the song "It Is Well With My Soul" more times than I care to count. Each time I sang it or heard it I became more choked up over the song. You can look up both the song and the songwriter here and here. In the midst of complete sorrow and downturns in life Horatio G. Spafford wrote the words to this song. The peace Spafford held onto and wrote about didn't come from his life experiences. In fact, what happened to him would have put most people on tranquilizers nowadays. The kind of peace Spafford leaned on focused on scripture like Psalm 30:11 where God turns wailing into dancing and mourning into joy.
That's what I'm looking for...joyful dancing before God in spite of what is happening in my life. That's the peace I want. Not the temporary peace that comes from a signed treaty which can be wadded up and tossed into the wind at a moment's notice.
And how do I do that? By keeping my focus on God and the fact that the ultimate victory is His. Nothing this life can throw at us, looking at Spafford again, is greater than the peace we can find in God. I just have to keep my eyes on God's victory and off my own shaky path.
I've heard it said that the days of Rome were peaceful times. But if you look closely, you'll see that they used military force whenever and wherever it was needed in order to maintain that peace. I'm sure there were many who didn't think of the Romans as peacemakers.
Right now, we do not live in a time of peace. There are so many groups who want to see the great and mighty countries of the world fall so that their smaller regimes can prosper, and maybe even bring about a religious end to the world. On the one hand, we have leaders saying the current treaty will bring peace, while other leaders warn us of the ulterior motive of the treaty signers. Do you find peace in this? I don't.
So many people are looking for peace to come from their fellow man. That type of peace will always be elusive because man is finicky. He can't even trust himself. Where I do find peace is not from outside sources, but from God.
In recent months I've heard the song "It Is Well With My Soul" more times than I care to count. Each time I sang it or heard it I became more choked up over the song. You can look up both the song and the songwriter here and here. In the midst of complete sorrow and downturns in life Horatio G. Spafford wrote the words to this song. The peace Spafford held onto and wrote about didn't come from his life experiences. In fact, what happened to him would have put most people on tranquilizers nowadays. The kind of peace Spafford leaned on focused on scripture like Psalm 30:11 where God turns wailing into dancing and mourning into joy.
That's what I'm looking for...joyful dancing before God in spite of what is happening in my life. That's the peace I want. Not the temporary peace that comes from a signed treaty which can be wadded up and tossed into the wind at a moment's notice.
And how do I do that? By keeping my focus on God and the fact that the ultimate victory is His. Nothing this life can throw at us, looking at Spafford again, is greater than the peace we can find in God. I just have to keep my eyes on God's victory and off my own shaky path.
Thursday, August 27, 2015
What Lies Beneath?
There is a show titled Cities of the Underworld that I was hesitant to watch simply based on it's title. But then I gave it a try when the description of an episode intrigued me. It's really a fascinating series. It plays on the fact that as people walk the streets of cities they often have no idea what lies beneath their feet.
The one episode I refer to today first aired on October 26, 2008. You can check it out here. The show takes you beneath one of London's churches. Apparently, there is evidence that prominent leaders of this church went below ground to a sanctuary decorated with features of hell. And while it is speculated that it was only used on a short term basis there is evidence that satanic worship may have occurred there.
So I have some thoughts after watching this episode.
First, I have to wonder how the church body didn't sense these things happening. Surely there was some form of awareness. And maybe there was, and that is why there is evidence that the activities below the church were short-lived. Perhaps the Godly people of the day put a stop to it and the area below the church was left alone until the show made it known.
Secondly, the show dated these happenings to have occurred during the Victorian Era. I usually think of the Victorian Era as being filled with highly moral, strait-laced people who would never have allowed a step away from God's path. But, I guess I was wrong. Don't you think it strange that even in the midst of a time when God seemed to have an upper hand on life there was still an element of people who dabbled in the ways of darkness? I wonder, did they think they were above the laws of God that they could get away with it? Perhaps that was the thinking of the Hebrews whenever they created high places to honor false gods and idols. (1 and 2 Kings)
My question today is, "Does this still happen?" Do we put on a face and go about our daily activities all the while having something sinister lying below the surface? Do we show our true selves to others so that all levels of our being reflects who we are and what we think?
What lies beneath your skin? Is it a solid foundation in God? Is it the sandy ways of the world that will falter the moment life's winds become a hurricane? These are reflective questions to help you know yourself better. We need to ask these of ourselves regularly ... like an annual medical check-up. As the world continues to head into crazier ways of thinking we need to know what lies beneath so that we are not led astray.
The one episode I refer to today first aired on October 26, 2008. You can check it out here. The show takes you beneath one of London's churches. Apparently, there is evidence that prominent leaders of this church went below ground to a sanctuary decorated with features of hell. And while it is speculated that it was only used on a short term basis there is evidence that satanic worship may have occurred there.
So I have some thoughts after watching this episode.
First, I have to wonder how the church body didn't sense these things happening. Surely there was some form of awareness. And maybe there was, and that is why there is evidence that the activities below the church were short-lived. Perhaps the Godly people of the day put a stop to it and the area below the church was left alone until the show made it known.
Secondly, the show dated these happenings to have occurred during the Victorian Era. I usually think of the Victorian Era as being filled with highly moral, strait-laced people who would never have allowed a step away from God's path. But, I guess I was wrong. Don't you think it strange that even in the midst of a time when God seemed to have an upper hand on life there was still an element of people who dabbled in the ways of darkness? I wonder, did they think they were above the laws of God that they could get away with it? Perhaps that was the thinking of the Hebrews whenever they created high places to honor false gods and idols. (1 and 2 Kings)
My question today is, "Does this still happen?" Do we put on a face and go about our daily activities all the while having something sinister lying below the surface? Do we show our true selves to others so that all levels of our being reflects who we are and what we think?
What lies beneath your skin? Is it a solid foundation in God? Is it the sandy ways of the world that will falter the moment life's winds become a hurricane? These are reflective questions to help you know yourself better. We need to ask these of ourselves regularly ... like an annual medical check-up. As the world continues to head into crazier ways of thinking we need to know what lies beneath so that we are not led astray.
Friday, August 21, 2015
The Uncertainties of Life
The last three weeks of my life have been something out of a soap opera. And I had to live through it. I hope none of you ever have to travel the same steps I have traversed. Let me give you a broad overview. At a point when I felt harmony had been reached, I was jolted into a position I never ever imagined I would find myself. I had been confident that I would not be taken from my place of solidarity. Then a threat was made, and before I could catch my breath tragedy beckoned. As victory over the affliction unfolded, the original threat returned from more than one side. Accusations and intimidation led to a shift in loyalties.
It's been a nightmare. Unfortunately, it's not over.
But, in the midst of all of this I have been comforted by the prayers of many. I have seen a miracle unfold before my eyes. In the despairing moments, the shoulders of friends and family have been there to catch the tears. The whispering songs of God prepare me and see me through.
I cling to the fact that God's victory has been claimed and He will do what He has to do to bring glory to His name. In the meantime, I look to Him. Through it all, as the song goes, my eyes are on Him. The One who is a father to the fatherless, a husband to the widow, a comforter to the wounded. I could not go on if it wasn't for my Lord.
I don't know if any of you struggle with emotional upheavals but I can only say that Jesus is the key to surviving and having strength to face each new day. He's not a person we can see with our eyes, but His presence is tangible and welcoming. Call on Him. He's there for you.
It's been a nightmare. Unfortunately, it's not over.
But, in the midst of all of this I have been comforted by the prayers of many. I have seen a miracle unfold before my eyes. In the despairing moments, the shoulders of friends and family have been there to catch the tears. The whispering songs of God prepare me and see me through.
I cling to the fact that God's victory has been claimed and He will do what He has to do to bring glory to His name. In the meantime, I look to Him. Through it all, as the song goes, my eyes are on Him. The One who is a father to the fatherless, a husband to the widow, a comforter to the wounded. I could not go on if it wasn't for my Lord.
I don't know if any of you struggle with emotional upheavals but I can only say that Jesus is the key to surviving and having strength to face each new day. He's not a person we can see with our eyes, but His presence is tangible and welcoming. Call on Him. He's there for you.
Wednesday, July 29, 2015
The Truth Always Comes Out
So did you hear the latest? It's been on the local and national news scene recently. Representatives of Planned Parenthood are taking fetal baby parts and selling them for use elsewhere. Don't believe me? Check these sites out:
Washington Post
A second Washington Post story
Fox News
What surprised me was that they are aborting babies in the second trimester. I did not know this. I actually feel sick finding out. It saddens me that many women choose to end a life rather than offer a child up for adoption. AND the federal government is helping this organization do this.
I once heard the saying, "the truth always comes out." And it does. In some ways because things are getting crazy, I'm not surprised that something as disgusting as selling fetal parts is happening. It's like a production of The Twilight Zone come to life.
I first heard of this through Joel Rosenberg's blog post. I encourage you to check out his post and the sites I hyper-linked above. Become aware of the filth that has crept into our country so that we can join together in prayer against these things, and beg forgiveness from God. Re-tweet this post or share it. Or, write your own post about how this makes you feel. Let's get the word out and wake up the church members who are totally unaware of this atrocity.
Washington Post
A second Washington Post story
Fox News
What surprised me was that they are aborting babies in the second trimester. I did not know this. I actually feel sick finding out. It saddens me that many women choose to end a life rather than offer a child up for adoption. AND the federal government is helping this organization do this.
I once heard the saying, "the truth always comes out." And it does. In some ways because things are getting crazy, I'm not surprised that something as disgusting as selling fetal parts is happening. It's like a production of The Twilight Zone come to life.
I first heard of this through Joel Rosenberg's blog post. I encourage you to check out his post and the sites I hyper-linked above. Become aware of the filth that has crept into our country so that we can join together in prayer against these things, and beg forgiveness from God. Re-tweet this post or share it. Or, write your own post about how this makes you feel. Let's get the word out and wake up the church members who are totally unaware of this atrocity.
Thursday, July 9, 2015
America's Reflection
On the fourth I was treated to my first food truck experience while watching fireworks over our neighborhood's pond. Actually, from my position I could see the fireworks display of two other cities. That was fun. But what really left an impression were the people who surrounded me.
People of all nationalities sat on that hillside. Multiple languages besides English could be heard...Indian, Arabic, Asian, Spanish, the list goes on. It was a wonderful example of America at its best.
From its inception America has been the place people could come from all walks of life and all backgrounds in search of something better. A place where people could be free to be themselves and worship God in the manner they wished.
What struck me that night was how America, unlike any other country, has such a large number of cultures within its borders that in many ways it's an earthly representation of heaven. When we get there it won't just be white, or black, or hispanic, or whatever background you're from. It will be a mixture of races, a rainbow of colors, united in the glorifying of the One who brought us there, who paid the full price so we could be free of sin and free to enter a peace only found in heaven. We'll all be celebrating next to one another, praising and cheering Jesus.
While America represents the land of the free, Heaven is the place of true freedom. While children can be born into the freedom found in America, each of us must make the choice to accept the gift heaven offers. The freedom available in America finishes at one's death. The freedom found in heaven is forever - as in - doesn't ever come to an end. Our forefathers paid the price for our freedom here in America. Jesus paid the price for our freedom in heaven. My hope is that each of you has taken that step to join forces with Jesus, so that when they set off the best fireworks ever in heaven you'll be sitting near me.
People of all nationalities sat on that hillside. Multiple languages besides English could be heard...Indian, Arabic, Asian, Spanish, the list goes on. It was a wonderful example of America at its best.
From its inception America has been the place people could come from all walks of life and all backgrounds in search of something better. A place where people could be free to be themselves and worship God in the manner they wished.
What struck me that night was how America, unlike any other country, has such a large number of cultures within its borders that in many ways it's an earthly representation of heaven. When we get there it won't just be white, or black, or hispanic, or whatever background you're from. It will be a mixture of races, a rainbow of colors, united in the glorifying of the One who brought us there, who paid the full price so we could be free of sin and free to enter a peace only found in heaven. We'll all be celebrating next to one another, praising and cheering Jesus.
While America represents the land of the free, Heaven is the place of true freedom. While children can be born into the freedom found in America, each of us must make the choice to accept the gift heaven offers. The freedom available in America finishes at one's death. The freedom found in heaven is forever - as in - doesn't ever come to an end. Our forefathers paid the price for our freedom here in America. Jesus paid the price for our freedom in heaven. My hope is that each of you has taken that step to join forces with Jesus, so that when they set off the best fireworks ever in heaven you'll be sitting near me.
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