Pain

I started my day praying with a woman who has dealt with severe pain these past few months. I prayed with her as she told me of the pain that she will be facing in the days to come.

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Midway through the day I found myself in a dentist chair receiving treatment for pain that I was personally dealing with - a shooting pain that would not subside.

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Late this evening I received a call from a man who shared of the ongoing pain of grief that he faces with each evening as he lays down and tries to get some sleep.

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Pain. It’s not enjoyable but it is inevitable.

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Pain is the alarm that screams “something is not right”. Pain is the red flag that signals “I have had enough”.

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We each deal with pain in life because we live in a world flooded with sin - a world of selfish desires - a world that is not our home. 

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Pain is the continual reminder that we are hurting. Pain is the continual reminder that treatment is needed. Pain is the continual reminder that we incomplete. 

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Let us be reminded - by our pain - that eternal hope, healing, and wholeness is ours in The Lord. Let us celebrate our pain - as we are reminded of eternal glory.

There I Was

There I was, lying in an open field, surrounded by the freshly cut hay. I could feel the rough grass under my bare legs and the itch of dozons of insects crawling across my body. 

One question immediately came to mind; “How did I get here?”. 

I was fatigued and injured, unable to continue on my own. Although I couldn’t process the full reality of the situation and all of the decisions that led me to this moment, one thing was clear to me; I was dying. 

As I came in and out of consciousness, the scorching heat of the sun and the thick humidity of the day drained any energy that I had remaining. I attempted to roll over with no success. I fought to cry for help but nothing came out. 

So, in a brief moment of clarity I considered again; “How did I get here?”

I managed to open my eyes and caught a glimpse at the afternoon sky. Through a painful squint I saw death hovering above, waiting in anticipation for me to draw my final breath. 

As vultures circled above my limp, lifeless body. I was taken to a different vantage point. Experiencing an out of body moment, I watched as the vultures circled. Faster now, and swooping closer to the ground, they seemed to be in a competition for my flesh. 

My inevitable final breath would be their starter’s pistol. And so I fought all the more for another breath knowing that my next one might be my last one. 

How did my life come to this? How did I get here? 

I awoke from my nightmare, covered in a cold sweat and gasping for air. My eyes tore open and I was certain that I would see the vultures circling above my bed. 

And that question that was now written on my mind and flooded my heart with fear; “How did I get here?”.

Perhaps you can identify. A series of bad choices, a plethora of wrong decisions have landed you in a territory you are not familiar with. 

Maybe you have been here before. You are - physically, emotionally, spiritually - tired, injured, unable to carry on. 

You want to get up but you’re unable. You want to cry out for help but you can’t find the words. 

So now, with the vultures circling above - declaring your death to the world around - you wait to take your final breath. 

But God says to you the very same thing He said to me; “This is not the end.”

“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.” ‭‭(Jeremiah‬ ‭29:11‬ ‭NIV‬‬)

You may feel like you’re all alone in that field right now. You might feel like the next breath you take will be your last. The vultures may be circling over your relationship right now. You may feel like there is no hope for your finances. You might feel like a grim future awaits you.

Today, meditate on the promises of God. He has a plan for your life - a purpose that is to be fulfilled. He knows the plan He has for your life - He has not and will not forget it - He has not and will not forget you. His plan is one that will see you prosper - a plan that will bring you success. His plan is one that will bring hope to your darkest days and a future that you think is impossible. 

I encourage you - right now - to call out to the Lord. It may seem difficult to form the words. It may seem impossible from where you are laying right now. The simplest words are enough. He is waiting to hear you call. “Father God, help me.”

I urge you - right away - to get up. The vultures may be circling but this does not have to be the end. There may be signs of death but God can make all things new. 

There I was, lying in an open field, and I remembered God’s promise; “For I know the plans I have for you, plans to give you hope and a future.” 

And I called out to the Lord. He met me where I was, helped me up, fought off the vultures of death, and revealed His plan for my life.

Is There Any Encouragement

In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus

‭‭Philippians‬ ‭2:5‬ ‭NIV‬‬

I was in a particularly grumpy mood this morning.  I could have made a list of things to complain about. Yet as I began my prayer time and devotional reading I came into a right frame of mind. Soon I was journaling and making a list of things that I am most thankful for. 

As I thought of individuals that I could have complained about my mind went to the words found in Philippians 2:5. 

I turned to Philippians 2 prepared to read of Christ's humility and, as I began to read Philippians 2, I was not prepared for the conviction of the Holy Spirit that followed. 

Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? 

Is there any comfort from his love? 

Is there aby fellowship together in the Spirit? 

Is your heart tender and compassionate?

Although these are rhetorical questions shared with the church by Paul, let me invite you to consider them -let me encourage you to ponder them. 

Are you enjoying the encouragement - the comfort - the fellowship - of Christ's presence in your life? 

Are your thoughts - your motives - your actions marked by tenderness and compassion? 

Do you have the mindset of Christ? 

 

Green Eggs and Ham

 

Tonight I read Dr. Seuss' "Green Eggs and Ham" to my youngest daughter. I've read this book several times to my other children, yet this particular time I was struck by the conclusion of this book. 

The Cat in the Hat has declined the various invitations from Sam-I-Am to try green eggs and ham - he will not try them! Yet, as Sam pursues him, the Cat in the Hat finally gives in. 

Sam!
If you will let me be,
I will try them.
You will see.

Say!

I like green eggs and ham!
I do! I like them, Sam-I-am!
And I would eat them in a boat!
And I would eat them with a goat.
And I will eat them in the rain.
And in the dark. And on a train.
And in a car. And in a tree.
They are so good so good you see!

So I will eat them in a box.
And I will eat them with a fox.
And I will eat them in a house.
And I will eat them with a mouse.
And I will eat them here and there.

Say! I will eat them anywhere!
I do so like
Green eggs and ham!
Thank you!
Thank you,
Sam-I-am

Just think, the Cat in the Hat could have continued to refuse to try the green eggs and ham. Or, after trying them, he could have denied that he liked them. 

It occurs to me that often we act much like the Cat. When change is introduced we deny the possibilities that the change might bring a favorable impact. Instead, we outright refuse it! Maybe, after we are worn down, we agree to "try" the change just to appease someone - all the while refusing to give it a true chance.  

What is required, from us all, is to, first, listen; listen to the thoughts and insights of others. Then, second, we must put our own opinions aside and give true consideration to the suggestions of others - this may require us giving the suggested "change" a chance. And, finally, we must set our own pride aside and do what is best - for ourselves and others. 

Say! I will eat them anywhere!
I do so like
Green eggs and ham!
Thank you!
Thank you,
Sam-I-am

Apply God's Commands

Deuteronomy 6, as the Israelites are preparing to enter the Promised Land, a bountiful land that God was giving them to process, the people are told to obey God's commands. 

The Israelites are told to obey God's commands so that they may enjoy long life and so that all may go well as they increase greatly in the land. 

The foundation for God's commands to the Israelites - and the foundation for all God's commands to us today - to know that God is the Lord of all and to love Him with all heart, soul, mind, and strength. 

And in Deuteronomy 6:6-9 God gives instruction for applying His commands to our children - and the generations to follow.

These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.

Applying God's commands to the next generation is a multi-step process. 

First, we as adults, are called to apply God's commands to our own hearts. We must know God's commands for us, know why they are important for our lives, and live as they are important for our lives - with faith and obedience. Only after we have applied God's commands on our hearts can we seek to lead the next generation. 

Next, we are to impress God's commands on our children - and to the next generation. We are encouraged to impress God's commands on the next generation by talking about them, writing them out, and using symbols to commit them to memory. We are called to impress God's commands on the hearts of our children in all ways at all times, because it is vitally important. 

So, let me encourage you today to love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. Let me encourage you to write God's commands on your heart - faithfully submitting to Him. Let me encourage you to teach them to the next generation - applying them in all ways at all times. 

That you may enjoy a long life and all may go well. 

The earliest prophets spoke about it. The message of John the Baptist was focused around it. The Apostles were left with the task of it. The Christian call is one that centers on it.

PREPARE THE WAY 

What does it mean for us – personally – to prepare the way? And what does it mean for us – as a body of believers – to be prepared for a revival of God’s Spirit. When a revival of God’s Spirit begins, it will first begin in us as individuals. So, if a revival of God’s Spirit begins in our church and in our community, then we must first be prepared. 

Clean Bath Tub

I cleaned the bathtub today. I typically clean the bathroom once a week and wipe the tub out every other week. But today, I deep cleaned the bathtub to get all the soap scum and hard water deposits off. 

I knew that this task was overdue and that it was something that needed to be done after several months. However, I did not realize until I started just how dirty the bathtub was. With every swipe of the Magic Eraser I was taking off layers of soap scum. 

I was not looking for any praise for this completed chore, however, after my wife saw the tub, she thanked me for cleaning it and told me just how nice it looked. 

Then it struck me, the cleanness of the tub was obvious, she did not need a before and after picture. I thought, "we don't realize the filth that we're sitting in until after we see it all stripped away".

And isn't this true of our lives as well? Most of us sit for years in our own "filth" - whether that be an addiction, abuse, depression, worry, or many other things. And, for most, we do not realize the extent of our filth until it has all be striped away. Month after month - year after year - we allow the feelings of sorrow, hatred, worry, or doubt to accumulate. Every month that we sit in our " filth" makes cleaning it up more difficult. And, for some, they never see the beauty of a clean, healthy life. 

The great news for us is that we do not have to clean up our "filth" ", we simply have to turn our lives - our past, present, and future - over to God. He filters our "filth" through the sacrifice of Chrst and sees our beauty, cleaning out "filth" up and helping us see the beauty around us and allowing us to live a clean life in Him. 

The Long Walks

I remember the early days of dating my wife. We would take long walks almost every evening and it was the highlight of my day. 

Moments spent away from the stress and strain of life. 

The burdens of life still existed, it just seemed as though they didn't matter near as much when it was just the two of us. 

The second night after we met, we walked the track at Indiana State University and ended up sitting on the bleachers - laughing and talking.

It was times such as these - when it was just the two of us - that we became the best of friends, learned about one another's character, and fell in love with each other. It was through our long walks and talks that we realized that we wanted to share life together. 

Over the past 14 years some things have changed - jobs, homes, friends, and family - and with each comes additional responsibility, stress, and burden. I will admit that I have let the romance slip over the years. I have taken less walks, had shorter conversations, and stole her away for fewer dates. 

On our wedding day I vowed to love, honor, and keep her until death separates us. Yet, looking back I have allowed the simple stresses of life to come between us. 

I think I will take my wife out today, maybe we will take a walk. 

Exchanging Our Soul

Mark 8:36 For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?

Matthew 16:26 What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?

These passage iare heavy on my mind and heart tonight. And the question; "is there anything that I am I exchanging my soul for?" To help bring context and understanding to to these - well-known - passages, I considered the following passages as well. 

Job 2:4 "Skin for skin!” Satan replied. “A man will give all he has for his own life.

Psalm 49:16-17  Do not be overawed when others grow rich, when the splendor of their houses increases; for they will take nothing with them when they die,their splendor will not descend with them.

Philippians 3:7-9 But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. 

Let us not exchange our soul for anything. Let us fix our eyes - our minds - our hearts - our everything on Christ and the eternal home He has for us. 

King of the Pride

Tomorrow morning I will be preaching on the topic of pride. It occurred to me today that a group of Lions is called a pride. Perhaps I was thinking of this after our recent visit to the St. Louis zoo.

However, it also occurred to methat the lien is known as the king of the jungle. And that is what pride does to us as well. Pride builds up and makes us believe that we are King (or queen) - first of our own lives, then of everything.

We must be careful not to let pride build up in our lives to the point where we believe that we are King (or queen) of anything.

Tired of The Construction

I don't want to complain BUT...the construction in our town is "driving" me crazy! Main Street has been torn up for over a month now.

·        there is a huge gulf on one side of the street that I'm afraid I'm going to catch my front tire on and flip my car over. 

·        there are those huge orange barrels that we have to navigate around to avoid

·        the main traffic light near our house has been a 4-way stop for a almost a month and you never know when you'll get stopped by the construction going on and add several minutes to any trip

·        many of the turn lanes through town are nonexistent - either that or the side roads are inaccessible due to the construction 

 

I'M TIRED OF IT!

 

I think about the construction on Main Street, and I consider the words of Isaiah 57:14; "Build up, build up, prepare the road! Remove the obstacles out of the way of my people."  Then it occurs to me that many of us try to live our lives in the midst of construction - in the midst of broken roads, huge orange construction barrels, stopped traffic and traffic jams, and inaccessible roads. 

I'M TIRED OF IT!

"Build up, build up, prepare the road! Remove the obstacles out of the way of my people."

 

·        When there is a huge gulf on the side of the road we operate in fear; fear of what might lie ahead, fear of being drifting off, fear of crashing. 

·        When there are huge orange barrels in the middle of the road we are restricted; having to carefully navigate; change lanes, take detours, restricted to the lanes these barrels keep us in

·        When there is constant construction traffic we are frustrated; we stop moving; we stop growing, we stop moving

·        When the turn lanes and side roads are closed, we lose access; to God's joy for us, God's power in us, and God's peace over us

 

I'M TIRE OF LIVING MY LIFE LIKE THIS! ARE YOU? 

 

"Build up, build up, prepare the road! Remove the obstacles out of the way of my people."

 

Build up the road to God – Remove the obstacles in your life

 

Isaiah 57 goes on to state that:

 

• God desires to revive your spirit and your heart (15)
• God desires to heal you and restore comfort to you (18)
• God desires to grant you rest and peace (21)

 

Build up the road to God – Remove the obstacles in your life

 

What are the obstacles in your life that keep you for true peace?

• What are the obstacles in your life keeping you for God?
• Let God remove these obstacles for you.
• Stop living a life of limitation
• Take full access of God’s life for you

Restore and Revive Us Again

The following is from a message that I gave on October 5th, the audio can be found here. 

Isaiah 64:1; That You would come down from heaven and dwell among us.

Have you ever wanted to see God?

• To meet with Him and know His thoughts?
• To talk with Him and ask Him about His ways?
• To gaze upon His face and see His beauty?
• To stand in His presence and feel His power?

Just as the prophet Isaiah wrote (700 BC), We beg and we plead; God come down from heaven and dwell among us.

And He did. God came down from His thrown in heaven. He spent 30 years living among us as a common man - born of a humble birth, living a humble, ordinary life. He then spent the final three years of His life teaching, mentoring, healing, training, and ministering to those who are desperate in need. 

But we were not satisfied. We wanted a King, not a servant. We asked God  to come down from heaven and do what He had done in the past – to stand against our enemies – to establish a Kingdom.

Our response was to hand Him over to the highest power we could find so that He could be nailed to a cross, suffocate, and die. 

And because He is God in the flesh, He does something amazing, something that we never expected God to do – He died.

He said that He was dying for us and for our sins. He said that He was dying so that all of humanity can be reconciled to Him. But He died!?

And maybe He did die for my sin. But a dead man can't save me, and a dead man can't save you! 

Three days later this dead man is not a dead man anymore - He is alive – and He is God. He has taken away the curse – the sin of mankind and He has proven that He has power over sin, over Satan, and over death. 

We beg and we plead; God come down from heaven and dwell among us.

He did for a while, but then He left. God ascended back to heaven with the promise of a future gift. 

Ten days later – with sound of a mighty wind and the appearance of tongues of flames – God came down from heaven in the form of His Holy Spirit. 

But this time He does not simply dwell among us – as we have begged Him to – Now He also dwells within us. 

God came down from heaven and gave us help, comfort, understanding, and power. 

But, again, we were not satisfied. We wanted a God that we could see – a God that we could understand, a God that we could control. 

Our response was fear. We began to shut down and close God's Spirit out. We continued to live our lives without this gift – who is God. We continued to live our lives without this help, this comfort, this power. We continued to live our lives without God!

We beg and we plead; God come down from heaven and dwell among us.  And sometimes we wonder why He hasn't.

• Where is God in our world?
• Where is God in our churches?
• Where is God in our lives?

We beg and we plead; God come down from heaven

One day God will come down from heaven and He will make all things right.

• On this day, every knee will bow before Jesus – our King
• On this day every tongue will confess that Jesus is Lord
• On this day God will establish His Kingdom

Now is the time to make sure that we are right with God,

• That we have a right relationship with Jesus Christ
• That we have a right relationship with His Holy Spirit

Let me invite you to consider these questions:

·        Do you have a right relationship with Jesus Christ?

• Jesus wants to be more than your Savior - to save you from the penalty of sin.
• Jesus wants to be more than your source of eternal life. 
• Jesus wants to be your everything - and to provide you with everything.
• Do you have unconfessed sin in your life that you need to seek repentance for?
• God cannot be in the presence of sin
• God cannot bless you if you have sin in your life
• Have you dishonored God’s Holy Spirit?
• We cannot fully embrace God until we accept all of Him
• God has more in store for you and for your life.

Let us go beyond the plea of Isaiah 64. Let us make Psalm 85 our prayer:

• Now restore us again, O God of our salvation. Put aside your anger against us once more. Won’t you revive us again, so your people can rejoice in you? Show us your unfailing love, O Lord, and grant us your salvation. (4, 6-7)

Poppy

I'm sitting on a plane - in Traverse City, Michigan - as we taxi down the runway, headed toward Detroit. 

Our family vacation began on Friday and - as we arrived at the lake cottage - it began with some difficult news. My grandpa - "Poppy" - passed away on Friday afternoon. 

This morning I am headed to my parents to prepare for the funeral and to try and bring some comfort and encouragement through a funeral meditation. This morning I am headed to my parents while Kim and our children stay in Michigan.

I am reminded at times such as these just how brief life is and how important family is. I will miss Poppy, his jokes, his stories, and his life. Most of all I will miss his character, his humility, and his family values. Poppy was God-fearing, family-focused man. 

I pray that I can be a husband such as he was - loyal and honoring for 63 years. I pray that I can be a father such as he was - a loving and gentle leader. I pray that I can be a friend such as he was - patient and forgiving. 

As I head south, I miss my wife and I miss my children. And, in our brief separation from one another, I pray that I will learn how to - and I pray that I will grow to be - the husband, father, and friend that Poppy was - the husband, father, and friend that they deserve. 

Psalm 25: I give my life to the Lord

Psalm 25 begins; "O Lord, I give my life to You..."

What does it mean to give your life to the Lord? 

This is something that we often speak about in the church but is it something that we often think about - something that we contemplate - something that we thoroughly consider?

What does it mean to give your life to the Lord?

According to Psalm 25 it means; to trust, to be led, to follow, to obey, to honor, to fear, to be taught, and to focus.

O LORD, I give my life to you. 

    I trust in you, my God!

Do not let me be disgraced,

    or let my enemies rejoice in my defeat.

No one who trusts in you will ever be disgraced,

    but disgrace comes to those who try to deceive others.

Show me the right path, O LORD;

    point out the road for me to follow. 

Lead me by your truth and teach me,

    for you are the God who saves me.

    All day long I put my hope in you.

Remember, O LORD, your compassion and unfailing love,

    which you have shown from long ages past.

Do not remember the rebellious sins of my youth.

    Remember me in the light of your unfailing love,

    for you are merciful, O LORD.

The LORD is good and does what is right;

    he shows the proper path to those who go astray.

He leads the humble in doing right,

    teaching them his way.

The LORD leads with unfailing love and faithfulness

    all who keep his covenant and obey his demands.

For the honor of your name, O LORD,

    forgive my many, many sins.

Who are those who fear the LORD?

    He will show them the path they should choose.

They will live in prosperity,

    and their children will inherit the land.

The LORD is a friend to those who fear him.

    He teaches them his covenant.

My eyes are always on the LORD,

    for he rescues me from the traps of my enemies.

Turn to me and have mercy,

    for I am alone and in deep distress.

My problems go from bad to worse.

    Oh, save me from them all!

Feel my pain and see my trouble.

    Forgive all my sins.

See how many enemies I have

    and how viciously they hate me!

Protect me! Rescue my life from them!

    Do not let me be disgraced, for in you I take refuge.

May integrity and honesty protect me,

    for I put my hope in you.

Hands-On Bible

I had a gift card to the Family Christian Bookstore that was given to me for Christmas in 2012. I actually forgot that I still had this gift card and that I had not used it up to this point. I found it tucked away in my wallet several weeks ago and considered what I might purchase with it.

Then, about two weeks ago, a friend of mine posted about the Hands-On Bible and told how much they enjoyed reading this Bible with their children and how involved their children were in this version of the Bible.

As I read the reviews of the Hands-On Bible online, my excitement grew. We own several Bibles but this one is different in that it gets children involved by giving experiments and activities as they relate to different passages and stories.

Without hesitation, I went online and placed the order and two-weeks later, our family's new Bible arrived in the mail.I have to say, I am quite disappointed! Stay with me and I'll tell you why.

Our children have not gained anything from this version of the Bible. Our children do not get involved, at all, in the Scripture passages or in the stories as was promised by the publisher. Our children are not drawn in to the Bible accounts as the reviews promised that they would. As a parent, I am frustrated. As a Pastor, I am disappointed.

I decided I had to write this post this morning, as I walked past my nightstand and saw the Hands-On Bible laying there, with its cardboard cover and protective plastic wrap collecting dust.

What do I need to do to get my children involved in this version of the Bible? Perhaps I need to take the packaging off, sit down, and read it with them. Perhaps, I need to take the time to open it up and get into the Scripture.

Although we have had this Bible in our home for almost a week, we have not yet opened it as a family. And, because of this, we have taken nothing out of it and nothing away from it. Perhaps this is the issue with so many of us - both children and adults. We are not sure why our relationship with God struggles, we are not sure why we lack the wisdom, encouragement, and answers for so many of our daily burdens, yet we allow our Bible to remain closed - collecting dust on the shelf.