A Bitter Pill

I was taking a few pills the other day and one  didn’t go down right away and started to dissolve, and the taste was nasty and bitter. Even taking a drink didn’t wash the bitterness away. There is nothing worse than a bitter taste. For the life of me I can’t figure out why God would create taste buds that register bitterness. Oh, wait, it’s probably so that you won’t continue to eat it, except for rhubarb. I love rhubarb pie, but to get it to taste good you have to add a lot of sugar. What did Mary Poppins say, “Just a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down.” So, bitterness is useful to ward us from something potentially harmful.

 Bitterness in itself is not good, especially when it comes to relationships, whether physical or spiritual.  Bitterness is the result of disappointment that is unresolved. For example.

I can feel myself becoming bitter and angry due to loneliness. I go to church but no one talks to me. I go to an ABF and see people talking and laughing, but they really don’t include me. They smile, ask me a couple of questions, but no one ever invites me over. I just feel that breaking into the inner circle will never happen. It hurts me to think the body of Christ isn’t working the way it should. Now I’m at home alone, and the only thing on my mind is how I feel hurt. I can’t get it out of my head and resentment and bitterness is taking root.

  Bitterness takes when we are slighted or an expectation isn’t met. They may be ligetimate expectations or not, but the hurt is real. The offended party can’t forgive and begins to hold a grudge and then bitterness takes root. Bitterness rarely affects its object, it eats at its victim and like rust erodes from the inside until it is completely destroyed. 

“See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble,” Hebrews 12:15.

Bitterness shows that grace is neither offered or received. When relationships are not reconciled bitterness becomes overwhelming and when it takes root trouble crops up. So how do we overcome bitterness?

Forgive - unfirgiveness is at the heart of bitterness. By forgiving the person who has hurt you, they are robbed of any power over you.

Stop dwelling and retelling — dwell on whatever is pure, good, and holy. When you dwell on a hurt you rehearse it to the point that you begin to justify your unforgivess, and the pain festers like a puss filled soar.

Seek Grace — Grace is acting on behalf of someone else’s benefit. When bitterness reads it’s ugly head act in God’s promise of Grace, both to you and others.

Seek Spiritual Guidence — if you still have difficulty forgiving and letting go of bitterness, find a trustworthy Eli ever who can help you through your difficult time

We may want to wallow in bitterness and self pity, but there is no better feeling than to be washed clean forgiven and forgiving. Go ahead, get out of the mire. I’m just saying,

Baby Ralphie, Really?

Christmas wouldn’t be complete if there wasn’t some kind of controversy about, well, something. This year the anti-gun people are upset because a photographer used a baby as the backdrop for Christmas (or holiday) icons. In the background you have the leg lamp (a classic), the bunny suit, and of course the BB gun, all references to a particular movie. The baby, of course, is adorable, and the gun is kind of funny. Is it offensive, bad taste, abusive, or borderline hilarious? I’m sure that the photographer knew there would be an uproar, that’s why he did it. 

The holiday, however, is about another baby. Jesus has been more controversial over the years than any gun toting infant will ever be. The nativity has been thrown out of more public areas than we could count, and the irony is that Jesus came to bring peace. I guess you can’t have guns or peace. I understand the angst over the baby hunter, but why has Jesus been offensive?

The scripture says that the cross is foolish to the Greeks and a stumbling block to the Jews. The world can’t comprehend why God would send his own son to die a miserable death for someone else’s sin. The baby in swaddling cloth represents the innocence that is prepared for the slaughter, and that is untenable. Baby Ralphy can at least defend himself. I guess that’s the point of Jesus. He didn’t want protected. He gave his life freely. The baby swaddled in a food trough felt safe surrounded by family, both earthly and heavenly. Yet, in the darkness the evil one lurks, seeking to consume him. For a moment, the innocence and glory of God meet in the most offensive infant ever to be born.

As believers we embrace the offense, the angst, the guile that the world throws at Emmanuel, God with us. We uplift the miracle of God breaking into the word — Emmanuel, God with us. We accept by faith the reconciliation of a rebellious world to its creator — Emmanuel, God with us. We receive this gift of salvation, the freedom from the bondage of sin — Emmanuel, God with us. So, this Christmas, as unbelievers wrestle with the tension of a holiday commemorating an event they don’t believe in (thus offended), let us show the love and compassion that began with an infant wrapped tightly in swaddling rags.

Trump That One

I was sitting with a friend this afternoon and we were watching Fox News (liberal friends bear with me). It was a little embarrassing watching Schumer and Trump go back and forth, “you did it,” “no you did it first,” “that’s not true,” “yes it is,” “I’m going to do it my way,” “oh yeah, I’m going to sit over here and sulk.” You can’t make this stuff up. I don’t watch the news very much anymore because it can be disheartening. But then again, 

 “What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel.” James 4:1,2.

“What I mean is that each one of you says, “I follow Paul,” or “I follow Apollos,” or “I follow Cephas,” or “I follow Christ.” Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?” 1 Corinthians 1:12

 

In some churches congregational meetings sound like this, “Now some cried out one thing, some another, for the assembly was in confusion, and most of them did not know why they had come together.” Acts 19:32

  Not all churches fight tooth and nail over every little thing, but enough do for the name of Jesus to  e tarnished among unbelievers. Paul told Titus, “Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us.” The world is going to hate us, but let’s not give them any other reason accept for the Name of Jesus. I’m just saying...

Anger

We have to deal with anger at one time or another. I know I have. The following came from a time I wrestled with that awedul feeling.

• 
  
• 
  
• 
  
• Anger -- It swirls around in my head like electrons around the nucleus; 
• fast, continuous, trying to escape.
• Anger -- it wants to escape its containment, to wreak havoc on an unsuspecting crowd, 
• to devour those who stand in its way.
• Anger -- it pulsates and throbs like the pounding pain of a migraine.
• Anger -- it lashes out at the innocent like a rabid dog gone mad 
• Anger -- it consumes all that's around like a cancer 
• eating at the rotten flesh of a living, yet dying carcass.
• Anger -- it has little redeeming value for the human condition 
• who knows not how to direct it towards righteousness.
• Anger -- isolates
• Anger -- consumes
• Anger -- devours
• Anger -- destroys
• Anger -- should be left to God.

The scripture says to be angry without sin, that’s the catch isn’t it, without sin. The scripture also says that if we could bridle our tongue we could be perfect. Guess what, none of is perfect, therefore we cannot 100% hold our tongue or be angry without sin. Anger doesn’t leave room for grace and mercy, it just eats away at a person’s heart until bitterness takes control. It’s better to trust God with our anger and turn our energy toward loving others with the Love of Jesus. I’m just saying....

The Narcissism of Our Pain

The following is an excerpt from my book “Reflections of a Broken Man.” It seems narcissistic to post the reflections of some of my darkest hours, but then again isn’t blogging itself self absorbed. At any rate I thought I would repost some of the poems over the next couple of days and add some additional thoughts. The opening begins:

________________

There are times when life is overwhelming, when the truths that we held self-evident flounder against the pain. We desperately want faith to be simple, but it seldom is, it strains against self-perceptions, voices loud and subtle. During our darkest hours (and only the individual can determine that time) the heart cries for something more, something deeper, and something that will make sense of it all.

Yet, there is little sense in the world. Evil flourishes, good people suffer, the greedy prosper, and the faithful drown under the weight of life. One-step forward and two-step backward and all. There is comfort somewhere, at least we are told, that will carry us through to a better life. But why hope for a better life when the one we are in should do us just fine?

If you are looking for encouraging poetry to lift you out of the mire, this may not be for you. These reflections are the open heart of my soul in its darkest hours. It asks questions that are seldom answered, a voice shouting into the gale force winds, lost in the void, and yet, still seeking hope. Enjoy, commiserate, or not, but keep asking questions.

____________________

I am glad those days are past, at least for me. There are many around who move through the rhythm of their lives in pain. For us who have gone through we can offer hope, a light at the end of the tunnel. His name is Jesus. I’m just saying.

Blind Eye and Half Deaf

He looked like he was going to snatch the purse of the woman in front of him. His pants hung half way down his hind end, a hoodie, not quite over his head, hid his eyes, and the studded chain said it all, thug. I want sure whether to step in now and stop the thief or wait for the crime and run him down (I was younger then). It happened fast, and if not for my keen wits, I would have missed the whole escaped.

“Excuse me mam, you dropped this,” and the grateful woman accepted with gratitude the wallet that had fallen out of her purse. 

I sat down a little sheepish, glad that I had not run into a situation I had no place to be. Do you understand? I saw what I wanted to see. My years of conditioning prepared me for this very moment. Everything that I should have expected from this young man was false. He wore clothing that made him feel a certain way, just like I wear motorcycle gear or a packers hat. I was his judge and I condemned him without knowing him. 

It happened again. Driving through New York, we picked up a tail. It was just like in the movies. Heading to the Statue of Liberty we were being followed. I didn’t say anything to the kids, but Rebecca and I kept a close eye on the car behind us. Sure enough, with each turn, they followed. Even driving into the packed parking lot they didn’t seem to care, we would be their next victim. I told Rebecca to stay in the van with the boys; I would face them alone.

Closing the door behind me, “Can I help you gentlemen?” The polite words tasted sour.

“The wheel fell off the tricycle. We just thought the children would be sad. So we stopped and picked it up.” Handing me the wheel they left without another word, and the guilt and shame was overwhelming.

Could these situations turned out differently? Sure, but too often we live lives with a blind eye and half deaf. If you are looking for something wrong you will find it. The opposit is true as well. If you are looking for something good you will find it. I’m not talking about the power of positive thinking, but I am sensing a need for the power of the Spirit filled life, where we look to see where God is working and rejoice with him. Are there negative things, situations where, if we let it, Satan will get a foothold? Yes. Walk out the door and you will run smack into his schemes. The scripture says he is a roaring lion looking to devour us. 

Choose another way, a better way, a more wonderful way, a narrow way that looks at life differently. “For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised. From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer.” 2 Cor. 5:14-17.

We are so quick to judge, so quick to condemn, and then we take the high moral ground and consider ourselves as achieving what our flesh is to weak to posses. Only Through Christ can it be ours. Then we are to have a ministry of reconciliation between man and God, and between people. The first seems easier than the second.

Christians don’t really want true reconciliation. What we want is to give lip service, say our piece and then move on. But true reconciliation is confessing, forgiving and the fellowshipping. It’s the last one we run from. It’s too painful, too uncomfortable, too hard to be with people who have hurt me. Yes, I forgive you, but I can’t live with you. Hog wash. If God did that hell would be filled with forgiven people. True reconciliation doesn’t run, it perseveres. True reconciliation doesn’t hide behind a moral high horse. True reconciliation is Spirit driven, Spirit empowered, and Christ centric. Is it easy? No, but then where would faith be? 

We will find what we are looking for. Tomorrow I will look to see where God is working, it might just be in me. I’m just saying....

A Blind Eye and Half Deaf

He looked like he was going to snatch the purse of the woman in front of him. His pants hung half way down his hind end, a hoodie, not quite over his head, hid his eyes, and the studded chain said it all, thug. I want sure whether to step in now and stop the thief or wait for the crime and run him down (I was younger then). It happened fast, and if not for my keen wits, I would have missed the whole escaped.

“Excuse me mam, you dropped this,” and the grateful woman accepted with gratitude the wallet that had fallen out of her purse. 

I sat down a little sheepish, glad that I had not run into a situation I had no place to be. Do you understand? I saw what I wanted to see. My years of conditioning prepared me for this very moment. Everything that I should have expected from this young man was false. He wore clothing that made him feel a certain way, just like I wear motorcycle gear or a packers hat. I was his judge and I condemned him without knowing him. 

It happened again. Driving through New York, we picked up a tail. It was just like in the movies. Heading to the Statue of Liberty we were being followed. I didn’t say anything to the kids, but Rebecca and I kept a close eye on the car behind us. Sure enough, with each turn, they followed. Even driving into the packed parking lot they didn’t seem to care, we would be their next victim. I told Rebecca to stay in the van with the boys; I would face them alone.

Closing the door behind me, “Can I help you gentlemen?” The polite words tasted sour.

“The wheel fell off the tricycle. We just thought the children would be sad. So we stopped and picked it up.” Handing me the wheel they left without another word, and the guilt and shame was overwhelming.

Could these situations turned out differently? Sure, but too often we live lives with a blind eye and half deaf. If you are looking for something wrong you will find it. The opposit is true as well. If you are looking for something good you will find it. I’m not talking about the power of positive thinking, but I am sensing a need for the power of the Spirit filled life, where we look to see where God is working and rejoice with him. Are there negative things, situations where, if we let it, Satan will get a foothold? Yes. Walk out the door and you will run smack into his schemes. The scripture says he is a roaring lion looking to devour us. 

Choose another way, a better way, a more wonderful way, a narrow way that looks at life differently. “For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised. From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer.” 2 Cor. 5:14-17.

We are so quick to judge, so quick to condemn, and then we take the high moral ground and consider ourselves as achieving what our flesh is to weak to posses. Only Through Christ can it be ours. Then we are to have a ministry of reconciliation between man and God, and between people. The first seems easier than the second.

Christians don’t really want true reconciliation. What we want is to give lip service, say our piece and then move on. But true reconciliation is confessing, forgiving and the fellowshipping. It’s the last one we run from. It’s too painful, to uncomfortable, to hard to be with people who have hurt me. Yes, I forgive you, but I can’t live with you. Hog wash. If God did that hell would be filled with forgiven people. True reconciliation doesn’t run, it perseveres. True reconciliation doesn’t hide behind a moral high horse. True reconciliation is Spirit driven, Spirit empowered, and Christ centric. Is it easy? No, but then where would faith be? 

We will find what we are looking for. Tomorrow I will look to see where God is working, it might just be in me. I’m just saying....

If I Could Not Do It All Over Again....

Regret is an evil stepchild. It lingers in the back of the mind, tugging at yesterday, holding back tomorrow. It doesn’t want you to be happy, and reminds you of what could have been without offering any hope for what will be. Let me say off the bat, I have no regrets, but if I could do it all over again I would:

1. Have learned to dance. I took Rebecca to a two hour, private ballroom dance lesson. We danced once after that, and no, it’s not because I think dancing is evil.
2. Have learned to fly. I have several reoccurring dreams and the most exillerating is the one where I lean as far forward as I can until my feet move so fast that I take off, aided with flapping arms. Once in the air I can soar as free as a bird. These is something about flying that sets you free.
3. Have traveled before ministry and kids. We were so serious to change the world, that we missed opportunities just to see the world and spend time together. 

That’s a short list, because, when I think about it, God has blessed me with the most wonderful wife ever, three amazing boys, three even more amazing daughter-in-laws, and three beautiful (amazing) grandchildren. I have the privilege of knowing Abrar and calling her my daughter (A foreign exchange student). I have enjoyed the warm, soft nuzzle of a horse, and the wet cold noes of some crazy dogs. I have traveled to Greece, Turkey, Jordan, Mexico, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, and Bahrain. I have been to most of the States in the Union. I have scuba dived with sharks, jumped out of airplanes, rode motorcycles too fast (crashed twice), backpacked in mountains and deserts, and rode a train across the country. 

I have walked in the rain, holding the hand of my sweetheart, and kissed her under a full moon. I have argued with her, and been infuriated, only to know the sweetness of reconciliation. She brings the best out of me, and helps me navigate the darker side of my soul.

I have held a newborn in my arms, and the hand of the elderly passing from this life. I have experienced the joy of new life and the sorrow of death too soon. I have known the hungry and abandoned, and I have seen, but never known, despair. No, I have no regrets, and I wouldn’t have done it differently. Our past shapes us, develops our characteristics, and what made me, me early on in life, is what God used to bring me to where I am, and I am blessed. I’m just saying....

What I am Thanful for—the grandnephews and nieces

What are you thankful for?

Grand Nephew 1. “It can’t be for the turkey. I’m thankful for church.”

Me. “Why are you thankful for church?

Grand nephew 1. Pause...”I just am.”

Me. “That’s good, I’m thankful for church because it’s where we go to worship together.”

Grand niece 1. “I’m thankful for food.”

Me. “Why are you thankful for food?”

Grand niece 1. “Because it keeps us from starving.”

Me. “Well, we didn’t starve today, did we?”

Grand nephew 2. “I’m thankful for family, because they give you someone to play with.”

Me. “Why are you, oh,...playing with family can be a lot of fun.”

Grand niece 2. “I’m thankful for God.”

Me. “Why are you thankful for God?”

Grand niece 2. “Because he made everything.”

Me. “That’s right, and I’m glad he made you.”

Grand niece 3 (eyes old). “Unintelligible.”

Me. “I know what you mean.”

Me. “I’m thankful for Grandchildren, no matter whose they are, because they tie me over until I get to see mine.” At the end of the evening they each gave me as big a hug as they could to hold me over until my grandchildren come in a few weeks. I don’t know about you, but I had a great Thanksgiving! Oh, yea, and the Turkey was great too! I’m just saying...

The Value Of Nothing

Have you ever just craved nothing; no interruptions, no noise, no hassles, no relational problems, no responsibilities. There are times I can sit on the front porch, stare out across the field and enjoy, well, nothing. There are all kinds of nothings, and if life is long enough I hope to enjoy more of them.

Nothing, sometimes, even tastes good. I was walking through the market looking for Apple juice (healthy) and came upon a ben with different Hostess products (unhealthy). There on top lay the most wonderful of all treats, Twinkie’s! You might think this silly, but I grew up on twinkies, back before I turned 30 and could eat anything without gaining weight. Twinkies have nothing of virtue in them accept pure deliciousness. What more could one ask for? “Do you want the twinkies in a bage,” The ckerk asked. Are you joking, put such Heavenly delicacies in a bag where they can be crushed? Would you throw a carton of eggs in the bottom and cast can goods on top? How ridiculous! “No, thank you,” I answered. Twinkies are full of nothing, and yet they can bring such joy.

I began wondering about all the nothings in the Bible. Here are a few:

1. Nothing can stop God from blessing us, Numbers 22:11
2. Nothing can keep God from providing for our needs, Deut 8:8-10
3. Nothing can hinder God from saving, 1 Sam. 14:6
4. Nothing is impossible when God’s involved, Mart. 17:20,21
5. Nothing is impossible with God, Luke 1:27. 
6. Nothing should be expected in return, when doing good, Luke 6:35 
7. Nothing will hurt us when God sends us out. Luke 10:19
8. Nothing good dwells in my flesh, Romans 7:18
9. Nothing is lacking when we all share,  2 Cor. 8:15
10. Nothing should be done with selfish ambition and deceit. Phil 2:3
11. Nothing was brought into this world, and we will take nothing out, 1 Tim. 6:7 
12. Nothing can separate us from the love of God In Christ,

When I think about nothing the passage that comes to mind is, “What has been is what will be, and what has been done is what will be done, and there is nothing new under the sun” (Ecc. 1:9). From man’s perspective this can seem true. We come up with what we think are new ideas, but they are old ideas repackaged. Not so with God, “Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert” (Isaiah 43:19). Jesus said he was ushering in a new Kingdom, His blood a new covenant, and with that, he would make all things new. Each morning, before the day’s nothings begin, God has provided mercies, new exciting and free. When asked, “what’s going on?” A bleiver should never say “nothing,” unless he is talking about the nothings of God. For God is always at work that we might want and do His good will, and (like John Piper says) we are most satisfied when God is most glorified. That’s nothing to sneeze at. I’m just saying...

Things That Go Bump In The Night

The darkness was thick with dread, and around each corner lay an evil spirit. One must beware of “things that go bump in the night.” Halloween, or as Hulu put it “Huluween,” has come and gone for another year. Little children dressing up as favorite characters (or rather their parents’), going from house to house, extorting from their poor neighbors, candy on penalty of tricks. Sounds all so goulash to me. No one came to our house, though Rebecca had prepared just in case. Living right outside of town, on a dead end (pun not intended), was a prohibiting factor. 

The darkness is frieghtening, and the rush of adrenaline from childhood stories or trickster friends can be exhilarating. We both loathe and relish those moments when someone jumps out of the corner and scares us, as long as it is not meant for harm. What I think is the greater deception than Halloween, is the the whole quote of “things that go bump in the night.

This expression comes from The Cornish or West Country Litany : ‘From ghoulies and ghosties and long-leggety beasties and things that go bump in the night, Good Lord deliver us!’ Like the little boy who preferred his mother over prayer to shield him against things that go bump in the night, I too, prefer "God with the skin on.”

Do we prefer the comfort of the flesh over the comfort of God? Where do we go, and what do we prefer, when things go bump in the night. It doesn’t have to be the creatures under our bed that dredges up fear. It could be the fear of a boss, or the IRS, or losing a loved one that cause the hair on the back of our neck to stand on end and tingle. Like the little boy we would prefer God with skin. And there again our gracious God provides in two ways.

First, the gospel of John said, “in the beginning was the word, and the word was with God, and the word was God... and the word became flesh and dwelt among us.” God became flesh to identify with us, and to deal with the evil that brings fear into our lives, sin and darkness. Jesus is the light of the world and darkness flees in his presence. But in the flesh Jesus could only be in one place at a time, so he returned to the father and sent the Holy Spirit. Now God dwells in every believer, to be comforted and to give comfort.

Secondly, God has provided us skin to give comfort and hope to the lost and hurting of the world. As his body, we bring the name of Jesus to bear against the fear mongers, the haters, the contentious among us. It is God’s love that drives out fear, because in his love he has conquered sin and death. 

“From ghoulies and ghosties and long-leggety beasties and things that go bump in the night, Good Lord thank you for delivering us!” I’m Just Saying... 

A Bad Penny Always Turns Up

Rephrasing the title, “with a two acre yard, the first place I step is in dog poop.” Put it another way, “what goes around comes around.” I use to hear this all the time, “no matter what I do, it always fails, I maight as well not try to do it in the first place.” The mother of invention wouldn’t have gotten very far with that kind of attitude. Or how about, “if it weren’t for bad luck, I wouldn’t have any luck at all.” How does the Bible put it, “What the true proverb says has happened to them: “The dog returns to its own vomit, and the sow, after washing herself, returns to wallow in the mire” (2 Peter 2:22). “You can’t put lipstick on a pig.” I think these proverbs can be somewhat disgusting. Yet, that is the nature of sin—disgusting.

Today’s culture doesn’t like anything unless it is sanitized and done just right. Messy is a word they avoid. Not that they aren’t Messy, but they do not like it when other’s messiness invades their space. Then again, who does. 

The Apostle Peter described the messiest of people in his day. “Bold and willful, they do not tremble as they blaspheme the glorious ones, whereas angels, though greater in might and power, do not pronounce a blasphemous judgment against them before the Lord. But these, like irrational animals, creatures of instinct, born to be caught and destroyed, blaspheming about matters of which they are ignorant, will also be destroyed in their destruction, suffering wrong as the wage for their wrongdoing. They count it pleasure to revel in the daytime. They are blots and blemishes, reveling in their deceptions, while they feast with you. They have eyes full of adultery, insatiable for sin. They entice unsteady souls. They have hearts trained in greed” (2 Peter 2:10-22).

He is talking about people who have once tasted the good things of God and then walked away. They have lost confidence in the Lord and his promises. What does he say to do when the bad penny returns? He tells those who have remained firm to remember that, though He tarries, He will still come back. “Therefore, beloved, since you are waiting for these, be diligent to be found by him without spot or blemish, and at peace.” In the face of doubt, in the face of questions, in the face of trouble and temptation the answer is always the same, Jesus. Jesus always arrives at the right time, Jesus strengthens us at the right time. Jesus provides an escape at the right time. He will return at the right time. 

A bad penny might always turn up, but our savior will always keep his promise. I’m just saying...

Flying With The Eagles

I love watching bald eagles. I remember standing on the beach of Echo Ranch, Alaska, seeing an Eagle fly in, swoop down and snatch a fish out of the water. Moments later it would stand on the ground tearing into its prey. Eagles are majestic, powerful, and inspiring. When I lived at the lake house, in Pandora, Ohio, I saw a couple of Eagles perched in the trees across the water. Rebecca was walking our little dachshund when one of the Eagles began to circle over them. She quickly called him back and took him into the house. Eagles are not only powerful, they can be terrifying.

Our feathered friends are not the only Eagles. A singing group, of my generation, produced some good music and lyrics. The following is part of one of their songs:

I was standing

All alone against the world outside

You were searching

For a place to hide

Two people experiencing life and searching for meaning; the first alone, standing against the world, the second searching, alone and hiding. The singer continues:

Don't you worry

Sometimes you've just gotta let it ride

The world is changing

Right before your eyes

Now I've found you

There's no more emptiness inside

When we're hungry, love will keep us alive

The first person assures the second that life changes quickly, but because they have found each other, life has 

meaning, the emptiness is gone, and the hunger they experienced is satisfied by their love. It’s a great sentiment, and one for which we have been created. Love between a man and woman is to bring the kind of meaning and satisfaction described by the Eagles. If only it were so simple; to live off love. Yet, even in the good feelings of love, sin tears at the fabric of God’s best until even loving couples find themselves alone against the world, and hiding in the bushes from ther Creator. Another song writer wrote:

The Lord is the everlasting God,

the Creator of the ends of the earth.

He does not faint or grow weary;

his understanding is unsearchable.

He gives power to the faint,

and to him who has no might he increases strength.

Even youths shall faint and be weary,

and young men shall fall exhausted;

but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength;

they shall mount up with wings like eagles;

they shall run and not be weary;

they shall walk and not faint. (Isa. 40:28-31)

How do we run and not grow weary, walk and not faint in a world that is ever changing before our eyes? Only if we trust in the only one who doesn’t change, the everlasting God, the creator of the ends of the earth. We find meaning in our relationships when they are grounded in the unsesrchable nature of God. When we trust in Him, His promises, His plan, His Word, then we mount up on wings like eagles and sore to the heights of the heavens. His love will keep us strong, His love keeps us alive. I’m just saying...

Medium or LARGE

I’m standing in line trying to figure out what I want; I’m information intolerant. That’s why I like McDonalds. “Number 1, please.” It makes it easy for guys like me who get the same thing every time. Well, except for today. I noticed the Smokehouse, and it looked good. So I said, “I’ll take a smokehouse please.” To which the gentleman responded, “single, double, or crispy chicken.” The crispy threw me. “I’m, sorry, what’s crispy?” He replied, “do you want a single, double, or crispy chicken,” I still didn’t get the chicken part, and I wasn’t sure what was crispy. I thought maybe it was the onions, which looked crispy on the menu. “I’m sorry, what’s crispy?” “The chicken,” he said. “Oh, that’s what’s crispy. I will take the single with the meal.” He asked, “single burger or single crispy chicken?”  Patience, patience, “I’m a beef man, the single burger, please.” Without skipping a beat, “medium or large?” Really, another choice! The problem is that I want a medium fry and a large drink. Since it’s not Buger  King I wasn’t sure if I could have it my way, but we are in America. “I want a medium fry and a large drink.” “Not a problem,” he said. Finally I was finished. “For here or to go?” Ahhhhh.

Choices, everyday we are faced with countless choices. Some of them are simple and others can be overwhelming. Some choices have low impact, and some can change everything. Few choices, I have found, are life shattering. They may be important for the moment, but will not change you or the world forever.

Examples of important, but none earth shaking:

1. Which profession you will chose.
2. What college
3. The kind of house to live in

Important and earth shattering:

1. Who you marry
2. Friends you surround yourself with
3. What you believe about God and how you will follow

Earth shattering decisions are about relationships, morality, faith, and justice. Often people focus on problems, that may be important to them, but have little impact for eternity. We argue over little things like dirty dishes, the color of walls, programs at church, style of music, and procedures. I would rather acquiesce to others opinion or let someone else take the lead, than to get distracted from the things God has called us to do. “Choose you this day who you will serve. As for me and my house,” Joshua Said, “we will serve the Lord.”

“Multitudes, multitudes,

in the valley of decision!

For the day of the Lord is near

in the valley of decision.” Joel 3:14

“Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother.” Romans 14:13

“If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel's will save it. For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?” Matthew 8:34-36

These are the earth shaking choices we are faced with daily. What choices will you make? You want to super size that? I’m just saying...

I Can’t Wrap My Head Around It!

I’ve always wanted to be a guitarist. Ever since the 3rd grade, when I carried a guitar around strumming tunes without chords, until I took classical guitar after our 3rd year of marriage. Rebecca worked at Carmalou’s House of Music, teaching piano, and I took lessons from one of the most interesting guys. He said he had played for Gladys Night and the Pips. He also attended church with his wife, and though not a believer felt he should write Christian songs (no one else was). One evening, as we were tuning our guitars, he sad that the universe was made of music. At the time I thought he was just a little out of tune, but he might not be to far off. As one blogger noted!

The logic is that sound waves are a force that travel through particles, and you had every single particle possible. So it was a reaction with the entire universe. It had the power to create the universe in that one instant, so is it such a large leap in logic to say that God was the one who utilized that moment?

In the Bible, Genesis 1:3 states "And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. " It simply shows the power of God speaking. In John 1: 1-3 it also states "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning.Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. " He was the Word, a spoken form of sound. Even when the angels are interacting with God like in Job 38: 4-7.

Particles, waves, mathmatics, it’s all very overwhelming to me. Consider the following standard model equation.

Unless you’re a Math Nerd (no offense intended) it won’t make any difference if I make the picture bigger. The equation is suppose to explain how everything works. I’ll take their word for it. Here are some pictures of the beauty of math.The beauty and scope of math and imagination is amazing, but if such beauty can de derived from what we (some people) can comprehend, how much more can come from the mind and magnificence of the unfathomable God of Creation.

“Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! “For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor? Or who has given a gift to him that he might be repaid?” For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.” Romans’ 11:33-36.

When we stop to worship, whether in church on Sunday Morning, or in our daily devotions, if we can get lost in the mystery of our Great God our worship would be purer, deeper, and more magnificent. I’m just saying...

I Need Good News!

Sitting on the edge of the sidewalk, the rain fell harder and harder. Cars passed, splashing dirty water everywhere; all over me. No one seemed to take notice of a small boy waiting. My tears mixed with the rain and my broken heart wanted to know why I had been forgotten. A car slowed down, it looked like my mom’s, but it wasn’t, and it sped up and drove by; splashing more water. I needed good news. 

Finally, the car slowed to a stop, my mom, reaching across the seat, pushed the door open, “get in,” she said. “What are you doing sitting in the rain? Why didn’t you stay inside?” No apology, no explanation, no hug for letting me feel abandoned. Just the same old thing, it must have been my fault. I needed good news.

Good News. We all need good news. 

“The word of the Lord remains forever.

And this word is the good news that was preached to you.” 1 Peter 1:25

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” 1 Peter 1:3-5

That is good news, even in the rain. The rains of life, however, obscure the blessings. We sit drenched, holding on to the idea that God loves us and wants the best for us, but wouldn’t it be wonderful if he would manifest himself before us? Just once?

“Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.” 1 Peter 1:8,9

Yes, it would be nice, but the good news is not dependent on it. We rejoice with inexpressible joy because the rain brings a rainbow, because death a resurrection, and our perseverance brings salvation through our blessed savior. Now that is good news! I’m just saying. 

The Day After Grief

There really isn’t a day after grief. The loss of someone you love is never easy, even when you know they are with the Lord. The empty place where they sat, or slept, is an image of the empty place left in the heart. But that is why it hurts so much, because there was so much love. The Psalmist said, 

Your eyes saw my unformed substance;

in your book were written, every one of them,

the days that were formed for me,

when as yet there was none of them.

How precious to me are your thoughts, O God!

How vast is the sum of them!

If I would count them, they are more than the sand.

I awake, and I am still with you.

Nothing happens that God is not aware of. His sovereignty stands, even in the mist of pain and sorrow. It is His sovereign will that gives us hope and comfort. To those who know Him, His thoughts are precious, because, as Paul said, “He works all things together for good to those who love him and are called according to His purpose.” There is nothing we can do, for Him to love us more, and there is nothing we can do for Him to love us less. In Christ we have the strength to face each day when our flesh doesn’t feel like it can. In Christ, we have the peace that surpasses all understanding, when our flesh wants to live in turmoil. In Christ, we have the wisdom to see past the momentary pain towards something grandeur. But it has to be in Christ.

 

So teach us to number our days

that we may get a heart of wisdom. (Psalm 90:12)

The number of our days is written God’s book. Therefore, we are to number our days. The first is about the fragility of life, and the result of Adam’s sin. We all die. The second, is looking at each day, each moment for the precious gift that it is. It’s a count down, and a reminder that we are but mists, and that days are too short not to focus on what is really important — Loving God, Loving each other, and loving those outside the kingdom. 

If there is a rift between you and someone in your family, go and make it right. If your friend doesn’t know Jesus, share the gospel. If you need to be saved from your sin, repent and believe in the sacrifice of Jesus. Number your days and set your heart toward wisdom; The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. 

Today, I am going to reexamine my life and ask, “Father, who can I love today? Who can I show compassion to today? Who needs a helping hand? Father, make my days count.” I’m just praying.

Goodbye Friend

Today is a sad day, as family and friends begin to mourn the passing of a good friend. The first question that will come to many people’s mind is, “God, Why?” After finding him so quickly, why? After the helicopter pilot, who knew him, beat the storm to get him to the hospital, why? After such a good day on Tuesday, why? After so much life left in him, to love, to minister, to give sacrificially of himself, why? And the question lingers unanswered. 

After Mary and Martha asked Jesus the same question, at the passing of their brother Lazarus, Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” The question isn’t why, but do you believe?

The only remedy for sorrow is hope. The Apostle Paul said, “But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep.” So, in Christ we have hope.

Dan will always be, “remember[ed] before our God and Father [his] work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.” He loved others because he loved Jesus. The last time I spoke with Dan, I said I wanted to get a 1971 MG sports car. He said, “whatever makes you happy.” I replied, “Rebecca makes me happy.” Through shallow breathes he said, “yeah, Marty makes me happy too.” Jesus and Marty are his two greatest loves. 

What about you? What are your two greatest loves? Who is your first love? Do not let this moment pass you by, for today is the day of salvation. The scriptures says, “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” It also says, “if you confess with your mouth, and believe in heart, that Jesus was raised from the dead, you will be saved.” In yet another place, “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” 

Today is a defining moment for Dan, as he was ushered into the presence of Jesus. Today is a defining moment for the family as they mourn his passing. Today is a defining moment for his friends, who will miss him greatly. Most of all, it is a defining moment for you who are not followers of Jesus. 

Do you believe? Dan’s just saying...

Scam, Scam, and I almost Fell For It

All those times I sat with my in-laws or my mom, and talked about how scammers target the elderly. How they should be careful not to listen to smooth talking men on the phone. I thought, “I will be more savvy when I am older.” Pride comes before the fall. Yesterday, Rebecca got a phone call from “Apple Security Alert” saying that one or more of our Apple products was hacked, and that we should speak to a tech to make sure we were safe. 

I spoke to the tech and he told me to go to the settings on my iPad and open the restrictions tab. There is no restrictions tab, of which I had been looking for earlier that day. He told me that I had been hacked and that the tab had been removed. Sounded good. In order to help me I needed to go online, from my desktop, and give him access to my computer. The whole time Rebecca and I cautiously went through the steps he outlined. Before I pushed the submit button I asked him to verify that he was from Apple. He said to look at the customer service number on the Apple website and match it with the number he was calling from. They matched. I was a little more amiable. I went backup to the desktop and put in the code and was ready to press return when caution got the better of us. I told him that the computer had too much sensitive data on it, and that I didn’t want anyone to have, even limit, access. We hung up. I did a google search and found that Microsoft and Apple would never call to tell you that you have a virus. There is no way for them to know. Don’t ever give someone you don’t know access to your computer. I felt so old.

Gullible is another word for trusting, and deception is Satan’s greatest tool. From the beginning, Eve was deceived, and the whole world was plunged into darkness. Paul told Timothy,

Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus (2 Timothy 3:12-15).

Darkness clouds men’s eyes, so that they do not come to know the truth. And what is that truth? That salvation comes through faith in Christ. Is sin real, the deceiver says, “no.” Do we need to repent, the deceiver says, “from what?” Is faith enough for salvation, the deciever says, “you need to work harder.” Do I need to live a holy life, the deciever says, “it’s not necessary.” The only way to fight against a scammer is with truth. As Paul told Timothy, “remember and be acquainted with the sacred writings.”

First, have your repented of your sin, and believed that Jesus died for your sins, and that God raised him from the dead. If not, today is a defining moment for you. If you are a believer, are you in the Word of God on a regular basis? Are you grounding yourself so that when the deciever plies his schemes you will be prepared? 

I was sitting in the living room when Rebecca’s phone rang. She came out and said their calling again. “Hang up!” I’m just saying...

Watching Them Walk Down The Road

You never stop parenting, whether your children are two or forty two. Love, care, nature, worry are still strong 
motions, especially for moms. And the worst passage in the Bible for parents is Genesis 2:24, “Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.” Watching your children grow up and leave is met with different emotions by mom and dad. Dad is like, “yeah, peace and quiet.” Mom walks from room to room and mourns the quiet. 

Yet, that’s the way of life. If the apron strings are not cut, the unhealthy familial relationship can kill the new couple. At the same time, parents remain parents, but parenting changes. No longer is the relations parent to child, but adult to adult. Some would say that it is still parent to child, that our children are always that. But to hold that view is to see our children as a child, or at least they will think that. No adult wants to be seen or treated like a child, even those who act like one. That means that we have to trust that our inadequate attempts at parenting will bear fruit of well adjusted adults, who can make good and right decisions. 

What if our adult children, however, are not following after Christ? How do we, who love the Lord, help our adult children find the righteous path of Jesus?  Here are some great suggestions by Ron Edmondson 

Here are 7 suggestions for parenting adult children:

Pray continually – Pray like crazy for your adult kids. Intercede for them. You don’t even have to tell them you are – although occasionally I suspect they’d like to hear it, even if they act like they don’t. In fact, discipline yourself that when you’re tempted to worry about them you start to pray for them. It’s far more powerful and one of the best ways you can influence them.

Speak reservedly – Don’t share every opinion you have about how they should be handling their life. That’s a key word. It’s “their” life. And, they may not tell you in so many words, but most adult children want to live their life. Just like you probably want to live yours. You can share on occasion, especially when asked or you know they are about to make a major mistake, but if you share everything it will eventually be noise not influence in their life. The sobering reality is when you offer too much input into, again “their” life, you diminish the impact of your voice when they need it most.

Model for them – Be the maturer one in the relationship. That makes sense, right? You’ve got more experience, shouldn’t you have more maturity? 

I’ve known parents who give the silent treatment to their adult children, because they didn’t call when they should or perform as they expected. Is that the mature response? And, does it work? It may guilt a response, but it doesn’t promote health in the relationship. 

I know others who use manipulative innuendos or put undue pressure on their adult children to call them, be at certain events, or just to respond to them emotionally in a certain way. (And, I get it. You miss their attention and long for it.) But, again, depending on your skill of manipulation it may guilt a response, but it doesn’t build the long, lasting and healthy relationship you will eventually want to have with your children. 

Model the behavior you think your adult children should have. They will likely follow actions more than words.

Remember you were once their age. That’s a key. Remember what it was like to be their age. You wanted to explore. You had dreams. You were scared at times. Confused. Not sure what steps to take. Some days you were just trying to hold it all together. You didn’t know everything. You were still learning. (Hopefully you still are.) You got aggravated at parents at times. And, those parents got aggravated at you. Remember? Try to identify with them by remembering you at their age again. You can influence them better if you can identify more with their season of life. 

Keep the door open. Always be available to them when they make themselves available to you. (Even when they wander. Remember the Prodigal Son story we love so much!) As soon as you close the door to them, when you draw hard lines on the ground or place strict rules upon the relationship, it will be much harder to open the door again. That doesn’t mean you have to let them take advantage of you. (That’s not even good love.) You can set boundaries, especially those, which are in your home or for their ultimate good. (But, make sure it’s for their good and not for your personal preferences.) There may be some non-negotiable issues, but let those be rare. Be generous with grace and forgiveness. Remember, you’re trying to develop a long-term opportunity to influence them.

Love them more than their life. You may not love all the decisions they are making. You may even think they are making a mistake. Again, if there’s an open door to share your insight — share it. I find writing a letter is sometimes the best way, especially if communication is strained. But, the fact is again, you are not raising — you’re influencing. And, they may or may not accept your influence. So, love them — generously and unconditionally — more than you love the current decisions they are making with their life. And, make sure they know how unconditional your love is also. It will guard your influence — if not now — in the future. And, you’ll be very thankful you did in the days ahead. 

Guard the heart. Guard your heart and theirs – above all else (Proverbs 4:23). Keep in mind you want the opportunity to speak into their life for years to come. Be intentional here. Be careful making statements or doing things you may later regret or that will push them further away from you. When you pray, pray for their heart – and yours. Just as you tried to protect their heart all those years they were in your home, keep protecting their heart. 

Hopefully, if influence is protected, if they can understand your intentions towards them are good and you will have invitation to speak into their life, from your success, your failure, and your experience. 

And, lastly, remember, you raised them for this. You raised them to be adults and to embrace the world and to take risks and to be themselves and to be who God designed them to be. They’ll explore just as you did and they’ll make mistakes just as you did. Lord willing, and with good intentionality, your best days (and some of the funnest days) are still to come as a parent. 

Happy parenting! I’m just saying...