Stuck in Saturday

I tell you the truth … you will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy.
John 16:20

Penny lay awake, the heartache tonight not much less than a year ago. She hadn’t slept much since Richard had died.
Married only six months, Richard had died when his car skidded on a patch of ice. The vehicle had gone over the guardrail above a deep gorge, rolling several times before coming to rest at the bottom. It had been several hours before he was found, and it had taken several more to remove him from the wreckage; he’d lived for two days before succumbing to his injuries.
Penny was numb, yet her brain never shut down. She rarely went a full ten minutes without it all playing back in her mind: the scene at the trauma center, the two days in ICU, the funeral, and the emptiness. It seemed her life was stuck on replay.
Penny cried out to God for answers, answers that probably wouldn’t relieve the ache or make this any easier.
Family and friends felt she was stuck in her grief. They continued to minister to her in love, praying that her outlook would brighten, bringing this profound grief to an end.

†

Anyone who has lost a loved one or a friend knows the depth of Penny’s heartache. Their absence creates a hole in us that refuses to be refilled; we’ve lost someone so precious that to think otherwise would feel like betrayal.
Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, did what He could to reassure His disciples of His resurrection. But on Good Friday nothing could take away the sting, the shock, or the pain in their chests. And all day Saturday they tried unsuccessfully to console themselves.
Then came Sunday!
The truth is if we live long enough, we will experience Penny’s pain. If we love deeply, we will grieve the same way. But someday our grief will turn to joy. It’s Jesus’ resurrection that keeps us from getting stuck in Saturday.
Death came on Friday, resurrection on Sunday, but there was a very long day in between. It’s okay to grieve. But do it with hope.

Prayer

“Give us strength to walk on in the pain, Lord. Thank You that, because of Jesus, this pain will turn to joy. Amen.”

Point of Impact

All of us who are mature should take such a view of things.
Philippians 3:15

Mark Pendleton was forty-something, slightly built, and showing signs of balding. Yet there was a quiet confidence about him that caused people to take a second look.
Proceeding with his demonstration, Mark shared that as a young man he’d gotten into trouble. Then a friend had introduced him to Jesus, and he began learning about God’s plan for his life.
Through the martial arts, God taught Mark where to direct his attention in matters of importance and how to harness the strength necessary to demolish any obstacles the enemy placed in his way.
“In order to break these blocks,” Mark explained, “I must first establish the correct point of impact, then visualize my punch reaching that point. To be successful, I must focus on the bottom of the stack. I visualize the completed punch having reached a point at which the blocks will have broken.”
The crowd watched as Mark began his mental focus routine. Standing two feet behind the blocks, Mark slowly rotated his fist, driving his arm and shoulders in a downward, slow motion punch to the bottom of the stack. When he was finished with his preparation, Mark stepped up to the blocks, and with a loud “hiya,” he executed one more punch, completely shattering all six blocks!

†

As we mature, we set out to make our mark on society. Many of us succeed, obtaining goal after goal, never looking back.
In contrast, many of us fall short of the success we envisioned, hopelessly lost in failure. For the vast majority of us, it’s because our goals were not set correctly, and our point of impact was unclear. In order to successfully reach our intended goal, we must determine the correct point of impact.
Paul told the Philippians to forget their past failures and press on. We too must forget the past and set new goals.
Wisdom suggests we set attainable goals in order to not become discouraged. Then we must visualize completion of the goal. Most importantly, we must rely on God’s strength and instruction when determining the point of impact.

Prayer

“Lord, guide me along life’s path and help me look for the right point of impact within my realm of influence. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”

Don’t Gloat

Do not gloat when your enemy falls; when he stumbles do not let your heart rejoice.
Proverbs 24:17

“What did I tell you about taking pleasure in other people’s misfortune?” Steve posed the question to his daughter, Karla. “Phil works hard providing for his family. And now that he’s lost his job, they’ll have a rough go of it.”
“I don’t care how rough they have it!” Karla said vehemently. “He’s a jerk, Daddy. I can’t believe you’re taking his side after what he did to Sheila,” she spat.
“Listen, Karla, I don’t approve of your attitude or how he treated Sheila when he broke up with her. She’s my little girl just like you, and it hurt when that happened. But that was fifteen years ago. You need to forgive him and let God work it out,” he advised. “It’s just as wrong for you to gloat over him losing his job as it was for him to cheat on Sheila. It bothers me to see you taking pleasure in his family’s suffering.”
“I’m sorry, Daddy. But he’s still a jerk!” was all she would say.
“You know, Karla, sometimes I wonder what you’re thinking. I’m your father, not your judge. But you profess to have a heart of forgiveness, yet when someone you dislike encounters problems, you find it amusing. That’s not how God wants us to respond. And remember, what goes around comes around.”
“I’ll take my chances,” she said and left the room.

†

It’s tempting and natural to take pleasure in the misfortune of our enemy. It’s also wrong. We are to love our enemies and do good to those who hate us. A true test of forgiveness is not in forgiving someone with whom we have a good relationship, but rather, when it is someone we dislike.
It’s easy to find satisfaction when someone we dislike has fallen on hard times. That’s why God instructs us not to gloat when it happens. He asks us to have a spirit of forgiveness and leave retribution, if any is required, to Him.

Prayer

“Help me forgive my enemies, Lord. Teach me to put the past behind me and look to bring healing to their lives instead of rejoicing in their pain. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”

Take Time to Laugh

A time to laugh …
Ecclesiastes 3:4

Lindsay walked through the front door and did a double take. Jack never leaves the house looking like this, she thought; there were dirty dishes on the kitchen counter, the stove, and in the sink. Two comforters lay haphazardly on the living room carpet, and dirty clothes littered the laundry room floor. She’d only been gone for one day! This was completely uncharacteristic of Jack. He’s got some explaining to do, she thought.
Setting aside her briefcase and hanging her coat on the wall peg, she set out to find her husband.
As she headed down the hall toward the toy room, she caught muffled laughter. Curious, she silently made her way to the room and stood outside the closed door, listening. Beth! She smiled as she recognized her youngest daughter’s squeal.
“Stop, Daddy! Quit tickling me!” Then Jenny’s laugh joined the mix, followed by Jack’s gruff voice. “The tickling continues until you both surrender!”
“We surrender! We surrender!” they said in unison.
As Lindsay listened, her heart began to melt. It thawed completely when Jenny said, “Thanks for playing with us today, Daddy! This has been the bestest day ever!” “Yeah, Daddy, the bestest!” Beth agreed.
All the irritation vanished in light of the truth: some things are more important than a spotless home.

†

There truly is a time for every season and activity. Housework is important; but so is laughter! Our children are only young once, and many opportunities to teach them the importance of spending time doing the right thing at the right time vanish with their youth.
When teachable moments present themselves, we must seize the opportunity to teach and instruct and not allow the moment to slip away because we were too busy being busy.
Being too rigid will find us standing on the wrong side of many issues. Not only will it bring dissention among the ranks, but our children and their children will ultimately pay the price. Lighten up and laugh a little. The work will still be there when the laughter fades.

Prayer

“Lord, keep me from being too busy when it’s time to laugh. Reset the attitude of my heart so I will recognize what time it is. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”

Daddy’s Charge

So now I charge you in the sight of all Israel and of the assembly of the Lord, and in the hearing of our God: Be careful to follow all the commands of the Lord your God, that you may possess this good land and pass it on as an inheritance to your descendants forever.
1 Chronicles 28:8

As they circled the dance floor, he held her close. His little girl had grown too fast. He felt so blessed, so proud of who she had become. He was feeling the separation that comes when our children come of age. Beautiful beyond words, she smiled a tear-filled smile, Daddy’s girl all the way! The dance ended too soon. Roles had changed in less than an hour. He had gone from provider and protector to sometimes advisor and prayerful encourager—advisor only when solicited.
He thought back to the ceremony when he’d charged his new son, “Today, I present to you my daughter. I charge you with the nurturing love of a mother and the fearless protection of a father. May you be strong when necessary and gentle in times of tears. And may God bless this union.”
Back in the present, he thought, Funny how life screams by at light-speed when it involves our children. He caught his wife’s knowing smile over the crowd. He was pretty sure she was saying, “Now you know how my dad felt.” He had a new perspective.

†

Responsibility brings with it promise. In this text’s pronouncement, Israel, if they followed God’s commands, would inherit the land set aside for them for all generations.
We are to not only follow God’s commands, but to faithfully instruct our offspring. They are to be nurtured, able to leave us, moving into the next season of their lives. We are charged with calling them to accountability.
As with the father in this story, we are to charge those who inherit the care of those entrusted to us. We are not to do this with ambiguity. We are to actively speak truth of responsibility to the next generation.

Prayer

“You charge us this day, to follow Your commands, Lord. Teach us to be faithful in response to that responsibility as we follow Your leading. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”

Evil’s House

If a man pays back evil for good, evil will never leave his house.
Proverbs 17:13

Flynn said good-bye to his last guest and closed the door. “Wow! What a night,” he said, smiling at his wife, Leslie. The grim look on her face alerted him to something amiss. “What is it?” he asked.
“Someone has taken the cookie jar fund,” came her somber reply. “As I began washing the dessert dishes, I noticed the lid on the jar was a little crooked. So out of curiosity I lifted the lid. The money is gone. I know it was there right before the dinner because I dropped in some change from my purse right after I got home from the grocery store.” Then she added, “I didn’t want to say anything while the guests were here because I didn’t want to offend the innocent parties. What should we do?”
After a moment of thought, Flynn said, “I don’t know that we should do anything, honey. To find out who took it would require asking each person if he or she knew anything about the missing money. We would be putting everyone’s integrity in question, and I’m not sure I’m willing to do that. I’m thinking that whoever took it will have to deal with his guilty conscience and that God will convict him of his evil actions. Let’s just let God handle it,” Flynn suggested. “We can replace what’s missing so the kids don’t suffer for someone else’s poor choices and leave it at that.”

†

To repay someone’s generosity by stealing from him is to ensure evil a place in our heart and house. Evil acts, regardless of the act, give Satan a foothold he will exploit in an effort to turn it into a stronghold.
If the person remains unrepentant, evil will eventually become a fortress seeping into every part of his life. It will ultimately bring total destruction to the entire household, leaving no one unaffected.
Solomon says that the one who commits evil will never be free from it. The only way to escape evil’s house and Satan’s grip is to bring our actions before the Lord in repentance. Then follow His leading.

Prayer

“Keep evil from my doorstep and my heart, Lord. Amen.”

Clear Conscience

But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed.
1 Peter 3:14

They called him a whistle blower. As they agency’s head accountant, Wes had called for an investigation into alleged improprieties. Everyone felt he had betrayed the agency. They didn’t know what Wes knew. He had discovered that three of the top executives had embezzled 2.3 million dollars in company retirement funds.
He’d figured it out while doing an in-depth cross-check of the last two years’ books. Someone had cooked the books to show bogus market exchanges after the year-to-date expenditures had been signed off on.
Someone had slanted the books to make it appear the firm had spent millions on a new office building in the downtown district and that each employee was a contributing shareholder.
He’d uncovered a trail where thousands of dollars at a time had been siphoned from the money market investments without anyone’s knowledge. Wes ran across the discrepancies by checking deposit dates against phony real estate entries.
When the two-month external investigation proved Wes had been right, the whistleblower label was replaced with pats on the back and a huge debt of thanks. Wes had done what was right. In his mind, he couldn’t have done otherwise.

†

Sometimes doing the right thing requires taking some abuse. But that should never be the deciding factor in how we proceed. To look the other way when things are not as they should be is to forfeit character, honesty, and integrity.
Wes could have chosen to ignore his discovery. He could have simply resigned his position and gone to another agency. He was aware that by implicating those in authority he was taking a chance on having his character dragged through the mud. After all, he’d only been with the company a little over a year, and it was his word against theirs. For a while, it had been a very lonely stand.
It is better to suffer a while for what is right than live with a troubled heart. There is no substitute for a clear conscience.

Prayer

“I want to be a person of great integrity, Lord. Help me to put what’s right ahead of my comfort no matter the circumstances. In Jesus’ Name, amen. “

Then Who?

If anyone … sees his brother in need but has no pity … how can the love of God be in him?
1 John 3:17

The little girl looked so forlorn. Her mother looked as though she were fighting back tears. A covert glance revealed smudged faces and dirty clothes.
Lord, please send someone to minister to whatever problems they’re facing. Meet their needs, Sherry silently prayed as the elevator stopped on her floor.
“Why not you?” God softly invited.
Oh, Lord, I’ve got to get to work, she rationalized and stepped off the elevator.
“If not you, then who?” God whispered.
What am I supposed to say? Their personal issues are none of my business, she argued.
“Compassion is everyone’s business,” came the soft reprisal.
Turning back, Sherry hesitantly spoke. “Excuse me. I don’t want to offend you, but it appears as though you could use some help. Is there something I can do?”
The tears refused to be held back any longer. “I’m sorry,” the mother began. “It’s been so difficult lately. I lost my job. Cyndi and I have been living in homeless shelters. I came here in hopes of getting a job, but the way I look, I’m afraid no one would hire me.”
Reaching into her purse, Sherry pulled out a brush and began brushing the little girl’s hair, listening as the mother told her story. “Maybe I can help,” Sherry began.

†

We may not own a business and be able to hire the unemployed or have spare rooms to offer, but we can still reach out to those in need in whatever capacity we are able. Whether we choose to see it or not, hardship surrounds us.
The third chapter of John’s first letter deals with how we are to respond to God’s love. He invites us to mercifully emulate that love to a world in need.
It may take a few extra minutes, and we may be a bit uncomfortable, but when we encounter someone in need, we should mentally trade places, as if we ourselves were the one in need. And then remember God’s challenging appeal: if not you, then who?

“Father, thank You for the loving sacrifice that made me right with You. May You find in me a willingness to be Your hand of mercy when You call. Amen.”

Hope with a Smile

By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.
John 13:35

Sally awakened at 4:00 a.m., said a hearty “Good morning, Father” as her feet hit the floor, and headed for the shower. She dressed and headed for the kitchen to fix breakfast for herself and Tiger. “Hiya, kiddo,” she greeted the big cat, stroking his sleek fur.
Eggs cooking, she spooned tuna delight into Tiger’s dish. “Eat it all now!” she said in mock sternness, then chuckled as Tiger cocked his head at her. Dishes done, she headed out the door, ready to meet the day. She loved the short drive to work as it often afforded her a beautiful sunrise or a full moon hanging in the waning night sky.
Sally volunteered in the day surgery unit of the local hospital.
With a smile on her face and a servant’s heart, she set about putting things in order. “I love the quiet,” she would say. “When I arrive, there’s no one here but me. I like that.” Arranging doctors’ charts and nurses’ orders, preparing each room by making sure everything was ready was Sally’s way of ministering to the staff.
Those rounds complete, Sally took her station in the lobby, greeting everyone scheduled for surgery. She took names and met needs, adding quiet words of encouragement and comfort or a prayer offered from a heart that had felt their pain and known their fears. Sally was the bright spot in their day; she gave them hope with a smile.

†

A servant’s heart is a precious thing. Out of it flows kindness with compassion and tenderness through encouragement. It’s born of a deep love for others, a selfless love like Jesus showed us on Calvary.
Servanthood is this great ability to rid others of their heartache and fear, rejection and pain, if only for a little while.
Jesus calls those who give of themselves in this way His disciples. And for good reason. They love with abandon, holding nothing back, lifting others above the struggles they face. Such an extravagant love makes a remarkable impact, and it begins with a mind-set that brings hope with a smile.

Prayer

“Help me love like You do, Lord. Use me to brighten someone else’s day. In Your Name, I pray. Amen.”

It Ceases to Be a Gift

We have different gifts, according to the grace given us … if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously.
Romans 12:6,8

Bobby was fifty-three and single. He owed two thousand dollars on student loans, had three credit cards maxed out, and two signature loans totaling several thousand dollars. The remarkable thing about his financial situation was that all this debt was on behalf of other people. Bobby had literally taken on the cash flow problems of others in an effort to help them out during tough times. Bobby was a giver; he was always helping others out. People assumed Bobby was wealthy; no one ever suspected he was going into debt on his or her behalf.
He’d gotten started in this back-door philanthropy by helping his younger brother pay off a high-interest loan.
A bean counter of sorts, Bobby enjoyed seeing people set free from the financial burdens holding them back. When word would come about someone in need, Bobby offered a gift large enough to meet the need. His credit report was spotless, so he never had trouble financing his ministry.
One prior beneficiary had gone on to secure a home loan because of Bobby’s generosity. He offered to pay everything back, but Bobby had declined his offer, saying, “If I allow you to pay me back, it ceases to be a gift.”

†

Not many people would consider a small mountain of debt a blessing. But Bobby did. And each day he went looking for ways to use his gift. Out of the generosity of his heart, Bobby lifted the burdens of family, friends, and strangers alike, anonymously giving through third parties when practical.
Today’s text says that each of us is gifted in some way. In it, Paul points out that we are to use that gift to make other’s lives better. It is God’s desire that we discover what our gift is, and that we put it to use.

Prayer

“Lord, show me what my gift is, then lead me to a place of selfless desire to give of myself in light of Your Great Gift. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”

As Is

Buy the truth and do not sell it; get wisdom.
Proverbs 23:23

The price was attractive, but something didn’t feel right. It could be either a blessing or a sham. “I don’t know, Michael. This car should cost almost twice the asking price,” Brice warned. “I can’t tell you what, but something’s not right.”
“Aw, you’re just jealous ‘cause I found such a sweet deal! I’m buying this car.” Having made up his mind, Michael secured a loan and purchased the vehicle.
Three weeks later, the transmission began to slip. Taking the car to a local dealership, he discovered the previous owner had taken steps to temporarily hide the mechanical problem in order to sell the car.
Angry at being played for a fool, Michael called the man. “I’m returning the car! You deceived me!” he accused.
Unfazed, the man responded, “You bought that car as is. As it is now yours, I don’t care what you do with it. Sell it for all I care!” he said, chuckling as he hung up.
What had looked like such a sweet deal had become one of the worst deals Michael had ever made. He should have listened to the wisdom of his friend and at least had the vehicle checked out before buying it.

†

We live in a world where Satan influences some of the most harmless-looking people. When we fail to be wise or refuse to listen to wise counsel, we can be taken in. And to make matters worse, Satan gets us to attack ourselves. “You deserve a break. Look how sweet this deal is!” he whispers. We shove aside our doubts and bury the truth in denial for the glitter of the moment.
And when we’ve made the deal, he sits back, laughing. “You knew what you were getting into. You bought the package as is. Now live with it!”
It’s tempting to sell ourselves short when something appealing, yet toxic, appears. God exhorts us to purchase the truth and not exchange it for a seductive lie, to get wisdom and hang on to it with a relentless grip.

Prayer

“Help me listen for the truth in the midst of all the lies, Lord. Then help me hang on to it. Amen.”

Help Me Remain Humble

Have mercy on us, O Lord … for we have endured … much ridicule from the proud … much contempt from the arrogant.
Psalm 123:3, 4

Kendal’s business partner was one of the most obstinate people he’d ever met. The fact that he was his brother-in-law only made matters worse. Try as he might, Kendal couldn’t seem to understand the man’s what-I-say-goes attitude. He dominated the office; absolutely nobody tested his resolve. Because of his oppressive demeanor, they had lost several good employees over the past year.
No one, including Kendal, could reason with him. He would listen to what you had to say and then look you straight in the eye and say, “If you have a problem doing what I told you, I can get someone else in here to do your job!”
Kendal confided to his wife that her brother’s attitude had become so bad that he didn’t know how much longer he could continue working in the stress-filled atmosphere.
“Honey, I wake up each day not sure whether to say, ‘Good morning, Lord’ or ‘Good Lord, it’s morning.’ I don’t look forward to my work anymore.” His brother-in-law’s attitude was emotionally draining, and he wasn’t willing to compromise his sanity much longer. “Help me remain humble, Lord!” he prayed.

†

Many of us have worked for or know domineering employers who do not understand how relationships are meant to work from an authority standpoint. Somewhere along the line, they developed a need to dominate instead of nurture.
In today’s text, the psalmist petitions God for mercy from the position of a slave to his master on behalf of a people who have endured rough treatment at the hand of oppressors.
We are not told how God answered their plea or what action they took, if any, against those who abused them. We only know they were oppressed.
When faced with heavy-handed authority, Paul instructs us, for the sake of the oppressors, to gracefully endure persecution (1 Corinthians 4:12), leaving retribution to God so that He might bring change.
It is okay to cry out to God for relief as long as we remember our humble witness may be needed a little bit longer.

Prayer

“Save me from oppression, Lord. And until that day, give me grace to endure. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”

A Pound of Salt

Let your conversation be … seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.
Colossians 4:6

Neil had been looking for ways to witness to his neighbors. So when he saw one of them using a rickety stepladder to remove a broken tree limb, he grabbed one of his sturdy work ladders and headed over to help.
“Hey, Jeff? I saw you using that old ladder and decided I couldn’t let you do that when I have a much safer one. Here, let me help.” And with that, he set up his six-foot fiberglass stepladder, positioned it where Jeff could safely reach the big limb, and said, “Go ahead, I’ll hold it for you.”
Jeff asked one of his sons to lift the end of the heavy limb to remove pressure at the cut so the saw wouldn’t bind. Neil, trying to help, told the young man how to lift the limb. When instruction failed to bring the desired results, Neil grabbed the limb and held it aloft, showing the young man what he’d meant.
The limb was removed and dragged away. Neil took his ladder and returned home, believing he had just shared the love of Christ.
Two days later, he met the son while walking, and when he spoke, the boy did not answer. Disturbed, he asked what the problem was. The young man admitted he had been embarrassed when Neil had taken over.
Neil had done the opposite of what he had intended.

†

Too much salt tastes worse than none. Our best intentions, if not carefully considered, can bring harm. Neil’s offer of the ladder, though well-intended, exuded arrogance.
In his spontaneity, he hadn’t thought out how best to approach the opportunity. His desire to help was good, but he was ill advised in taking control of circumstances. Instead of a dash of salt, he dumped out the whole shaker.
Our actions need filtered through the question, How will what I do affect others?
What we do in the Lord’s name is meant to have a
profound, positive effect. We must take care to season and not saturate.

Prayer

“Lord, I never want to offend where I intend to show people Your love. Help me listen for Your guidance instead of rushing in ahead of You. Amen.”

Fidelity

He who loves his wife loves himself.
Ephesians 5:28

“Flirting, however harmless you might feel about it, is still being unfaithful to Gretchen,” Cal said. “It’s a temptation to take it a step further. Yes, it can make you feel alive. It wouldn’t be tempting if it didn’t. But it’s wrong, Randy. Gretchen deserves better. So do you.”
“But I don’t feel in love anymore,” Randy argued. “This other woman makes me feel appreciated and understood. I don’t get that from Gretchen. I’m tired of going through the motions.”
“You know, Randy, Patty and I felt the same way years ago. We’d lost the spark, and it felt too much like work to pretend. But we stuck it out and allowed God to lead us through counseling where we found out things had begun to overshadow our love; we’d stopped communicating.
“Randy, when someone of the opposite sex pays attention to us in a way our spouse hasn’t, we can easily form an unhealthy emotional bond. It feels right, and it tempts us to give up in spite of the covenant we made. You’ve got to fight the temptation,” Cal urged.
“How’d you get through it?” Randy asked.
“With a lot of work in God’s strength, and understanding that issues will always raise themselves up to assault our marriage. We fought for what we knew was right. And in the fighting, we learned that our love hadn’t died; it had become bogged down by the issues we faced.”

†

No-fault divorce, disillusionments, and annulments are easily granted and too widely accepted. “If you aren’t happy, move on,” we say, putting our happiness ahead of our spouse, our children, and our commitment.
Marriage is meant to be forever, not until we get tired.
Fidelity is standing in God’s strength instead of our own, holding ground not meant to be given up. It’s where integrity is discovered and selfish ambitions are laid to rest.
Fifty percent of today’s marriages end in divorce. Statistics say that eighty percent of those who remarry will divorce again. You will take each unattended issue wherever you go. Great reward can come from not giving in to selfish desires. Stay and fight for what God ordained.

Prayer

“Weld my marriage to You, Lord. Help us stand and fight instead of giving in to the temptations of infidelity. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”

For the Ages

Do not remove an ancient boundary stone set up by your forefathers.
Proverbs 22:28

Lawrence was having a revelation as he leafed through the magazine. Beautiful, well-manicured farms were showcased in this month’s issue. Two in particular stood out as his favorites, their moss-covered boundaries bringing nostalgic reminiscence.
His father had cautioned him to leave the stone fences outlining the property intact. “You’ll miss them someday if you don’t, Lawrence,” he’d said. “And an awful lot of work went into erecting them. It’d be a shame to lose ’em.”
The local stone quarry was paying good money for pallets of stone. They bought the stones because it removed the raw harvest portion from the process at the quarry, saving them machine usage and man-hours. They were more than willing to pay for stones from the fences of the countryside. The fences would always offer a quick way to make money.
Well, Lawrence hadn’t listened to his father. Constantly repairing the gaps in the rocks where livestock tried to escape had been an aggravation. The same year he inherited the farm, he began hauling away the stones. He wanted to replace the rocks with up-to-date fences. “And besides,” he told himself, “the money will help make the necessary upgrades.” The truth was, he still had to mend fences. Broken wire didn’t stop wandering animals either.

†

Each generation believes it has a better plan. So we set about re-laying the foundations laid before us. And without much thought as to the why, we set our minds to the task of making it ours! In the process, we sometimes lose precious ground our forefathers labored to gain on our behalf.
Youth is wonderful, yet impetuous. We have the curiosity and desire to do great things, yet have not gained enough wisdom to temper our actions. We haven’t lived enough to understand that some things should be left alone.
Heritage is a gift to be cherished, not a slight against our character. We are to build upon the past in hopes of providing a better future. If we must make it ours, then we should do it in connection with the past, not in place of it.

Prayer

“Thank You for my heritage, Lord. Upon it, with Your guidance, we shall build a future for the ages. Amen. “

Be Still

Be still, and know that I am God.

Psalm 46:10

As Dell’s parents left the neurologist’s office, they were coming to grips

with the truth that Dell wasn’t going to outgrow this.

He had just been diagnosed with Tourette’s syndrome, a neurological disorder

that manifests itself through various involuntary motor tics and vocalizations.

The head jerking and rapid eye blinking now had a name.

As time passed, they helped Dell adjust to each new tic and the frustration

it brought. They helped him develop coping skills for everything from homework

to sleeping habits. It seemed like the battles would never end. And when

they asked for a tutor at school, their request was denied because Tourette’s was

not yet recognized as a learning disability. They were stunned.

It was difficult for Carolyn and Mark to watched Dell struggle, estranged

from his peers because of his tics, belittled because he was different.

As months turned into years, they continued to ask God to take away this

trying disorder that brought ridicule and tears. All God seemed to say was, “Be

still,” and in place of healing came grace.

As Dell matured, God’s purpose emerged, and the desired healing was forgotten.

Dell was a man of compassion with deep conviction. An accomplished

musician, Dell graduated college with a degree in communications and music.

God had elevated Dell above his struggles.

†

It’s easy to overlook the silver lining because we’re focused on the trial. Believing

God has our best interest at heart can be a difficult thing, especially when

it involves our children. It’s easy to forget that God intimately understands our

heartache where our children are concerned.

How many of us would willingly have sent our only child to die for something

he didn’t do, especially knowing he was going to die in place of the guilty

party?

When storms hammer us, it’s natural to cry out for deliverance. It’s not

natural to believe God would allow this to happen. So when we cry out only to

hear Him say, “Be still,” it doesn’t make much sense. Have faith.

God is inviting us, like the psalmist, to focus on Him. And though the

earth gives way … to not fear.

Prayer

“Lord, I have trouble trusting You when I can’t see Your

purpose. Help me to trust You. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”

What Is Faith?

Now faith is being sure of … what we do not see.
Hebrews 11:1

Helen was agnostic. “How can you believe in God?” she asked. “And how are you so sure He exists?”
Ronnie chose her words carefully. “I see God in nature and in the details of life. I’ve personally seen Him work in the circumstances of my life, and I hear Him when He speaks to my spirit, Helen.”
“So now you’re saying God talks to you? Yeah right!” Helen’s comment was dripping with sarcasm. She refused to believe in God because she had never witnessed conclusive proof of His existence.
Ignoring Helen’s remark, Ronnie went on. “Answer this question, Helen. Can you prove God doesn’t exist? For example, you can’t see the wind, but you know it’s there. When you flip on a light switch, you expect there to be light. And you know the sun will come up tomorrow no matter what. Each requires an act of faith. Why is it such a stretch to believe in a Creator?”
Helen didn’t like where this was headed. “Each of those can be proven scientifically. What’s your point?”
“My point is that faith fails to be faith when we have tangible proof. You demand tangible proof of God’s existence, and unless you get it, you will continue to reject the possibility that there is Someone outside your control in control of your life. God asks us to believe without seeing.”

†

The thought of being subject to Someone else’s authority has caused multitudes great anguish. God’s existence challenges our life choices.
Any religion that denies Christ’s deity, meaning Jesus is the only way to heaven, shares an inability to believe God would condemn. They refuse to believe they are condemned, not by God, but by their own choices, and so they choose to disbelieve. In their unrighteous and unholy living, there is no room for admitting a Holy God cannot abide their actions.
Christians believe solely on His Word, the circumstantial evidence surrounding us and our ability to reason.
Our stance on whether or not He exists will not change that He does.
Faith is making an informed decision, aware that where we spend eternity hangs in the balance.

Prayer

“Give me words of truth to speak into nonbeliever’s doubt, Lord. Amen.”

The Last Place We Look

Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always.
Psalm 105:3

They split up to cover more ground.
“Where’d you wear it last? And how long ago was that?” Tony hollered up the stairs. He and Jill had been searching for her butterfly necklace for half an hour.
Jill was determined to find it, even if that meant being late for their dinner engagement. It’s the perfect necklace for the gown I’m wearing.
Tony had checked the kitchen and downstairs bathroom. Nothing! He’d pulled the cushions from each piece of furniture and reached into every crack but had come up empty. Now in the guestroom, he began looking through drawers while asking God for patience. This is not my favorite pastime, Lord!
Jill continued searching through jewelry boxes. Still no necklace. “Any luck yet?” she hollered.
Tony reined in his frustration. “Not yet.”
Then, “I found it!” Jill hollered triumphantly and whispered, “Thank you, Jesus!” As she worked the clasp, she explained, “It was in the zipper compartment of one of my backup purses! Wouldn’t you know it, it was in the last place I looked!”
Tony couldn’t help himself, “Of course it was in the last place you looked!” he said. “You wouldn’t continue looking once you found it, would you?”

†

If we knew exactly where we’d lost something of value, we wouldn’t waste time looking for it somewhere else. We would go straight to that spot and retrieve the lost item.
So why is it that God is frequently our last resort?
Self-sufficiency is a form of pride. Yet generations have been raised by the maxims: “Stand on your own two feet,” “Buck up,” “Get in there,” “No one is going to do it for you.” We’ve become a do-it-yourself society without a lot of God sufficiency. What are we teaching our children?
David, for all his faults, constantly sought God’s wisdom and strength. No matter how many mistakes he made, David relied on God’s loving guidance until the day he died.
It is not God’s desire to be found in the last place we look.

Prayer

“I need help today and every day, Lord. Help me come quickly to stand in Your strength. Amen.”

Shocked to His Senses

Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.
Psalm 90:12

Jim regained consciousness. He was dazed and confused but alive. He’d been filling the grain silos. With one silo full, he was moving the boom of the elevator over to the next silo. As the boom swung, it came in contact with a bare power line. Thousands of volts of electricity shot through his body, discharging through his toes into the ground. The resulting shock knocked him unconscious. Awakening, Jim crawled to his neighbor’s. He was transported to the county hospital where he received treatment and was later released.
The following week, Jim received a visit from a local pastor. He had come to invite Jim to church. “I can talk to God anytime I want right out there in the fields,” Jim said, swinging his arm expansively.
The pastor asked, “But do you? If you had died that day, do you know if your soul would be in heaven?”
Jim had to admit he didn’t. As for talking to God while out in the fields …
He took the pastor up on his offer.

†

Jim’s true relationship with God began the day he was introduced to his own mortality. That relationship grew over time as he came to know the One Who saved his life. He eventually became the pastor of a local church.
Instead of harvesting grain, Jim began to reap souls for the kingdom. And though now with the Lord, Jim’s legacy of harvest continues through his family and parishioners.
One significant moment can bring change to our lives and the lives of countless others. Today’s text says that we have the ability to gain wisdom by our actions, the act of learning from God what He has in store for our lives. Do we continue on in false ignorance?

Prayer

“Lord, teach us to number our days according to Your Word. And to walk uprightly in relationship with You. Guide us into wisdom that is pertinent in our lives and Your kingdom. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”

The Secret*

I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation.
Philippians 4:12

In light of her circumstances, Elsie had a tremendous outlook on life. Her secret? She looked for the brightest part of each day and refused to let circumstances dictate her attitude. She certainly had reason to do otherwise.
Elsie’s multiple myloma had resurfaced after twenty years of remission, and she’d just come through colon cancer that had required several surgical procedures. Right now, her doctor was advising her to undergo chemotherapy on top of her radiation treatment. Having been through this before, Elsie took a moment before she responded to the doctor’s suggested course of treatment.
“What do you think, Tommy? Are you up for this again?” she asked her husband.
Tom said, “I’m up for whatever you decide, Els. No matter what, God’ll get us through this.”
She looked at her surgeon. “Can we have a couple days to discuss things and pray about it, Doc? I’m involved with the kids at the hospice center. If I undergo therapy, it’ll mean giving that up for a while. I want to be sure.”
He was inspired by Elsie’s concern for others in the midst of considering her own welfare. She motivated him to approach life with tenacity. He smiled, “Sure, Elsie. You and Tom take whatever time you need. Then call me with your decision.”

†

How we live gives witness to what we believe. Others read us like a book. So what do they see? Contentedness or contention?
Elsie knew this was something God would handle and guide her through. It was evident God had her trust, and He was in control of her life.
A grouch is not difficult to spot. Neither is someone who inspires us to live above defeat and despondency.
Paul discovered what Jesus already knew: by looking to our ultimate future, we are better able to walk through today with hope in our hearts.
Elsie’s thoughts? “Live like heaven begins tomorrow; sing like no one is listening; dance like no one is watching; and love like you’ve never been hurt before.” Sounds like a good place to start.

Prayer

“Teach me the secret, Lord, of being content by trusting You for everything in my life. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”

*Dedicated to my sister-in-love, Elsie, for whom Heaven is no longer a future hope. I'm sure she spends part of each day dancing with Jesus!

Agents of Prophecy

Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged.

Colossians 3:21

Dell was one of the smartest kids in school. He was also one of the most under-achieving freshmen Mr. Holman ever taught. Finding ways to engage the young man had proven a challenge.  

Mr. Holman talked to his other teachers and some of his friends, intending to discover why someone so bright seemed to care so little about his future. What he discovered was disturbing. Dell’s father was a bully. Although he never touched Dell physically, he broke his spirit mentally and emotionally, spewing venomous curses at him, “You’re so stupid! You can’t even tell the difference between a spark plug and a fuel injector! What the hell is wrong with you?! You wouldn’t make a bump on a good mechanic’s butt!”         

It took awhile, but Mr. Holman showed Dell who he really was. Over time, Mr. Holman was able to penetrate Dell’s protective barriers. Once inside, he spoke words of truth; words to edify and nurture; words of encouragement and support. And by his senior year, Dell’s poor self-image had been replaced by one of hope-filled anticipation. His grades mirrored his intellect, and he began setting goals for the future.  

†

Day in and day out Dell heard he was a failure from the man who should have been encouraging him. Instead of looking forward to a worthwhile future, Dell only looked to survive and escape his father’s harsh treatment.      

We are agents of prophecy. Our children hear everything we say. Not only do our words speak loud and clear, our body language and voice inflection have much to say. Make no mistake…they will become who we tell them they are.      

They go from stroller to SUV in less time than it takes to blink. We have only a small window of influence. We should look for every opportunity to invest wisely. Sometime today, tell your children how smart they are and how blessed you are to have them.   

And, if you tell your daughter, “Go change your clothes, you look like a whore!” don’t be surprised when she turns to the streets for acceptance.     

   

Prayer

“Holy Spirit, give me words of encouragement to speak over my children, help me build their self-esteem. And hold my tongue in times of frustration to keep me from discouraging them. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”   

Set Them Free

For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
John 3:17

Kevin had been the sole survivor of an attack on his M2 Bradley tank. Tears began to build in Lauren’s eyes as she listened to her brother’s story. “The IED came out of nowhere. One minute we’re haulin’ along, the next there’s this deafening explosion, and there’s fire everywhere!” Then his voice lowered. “Guys were screaming.”
Fighting for composure, he went on. “Next thing I remember is waking up in Walter Reed. That’s where I found out I was the only one that made it; someone from the Humvee behind us had pulled me free.” Kevin’s face mirrored the loss he was feeling. “They were my friends,” he whispered. “Why them and not me? Why’d they have to die?”
“I don’t know the answer to your question, Kev,” his dad quietly answered. “But sometimes good people die so that others might live.” He continued, “Freedom will always have its casualties. War is a reality in the world in which we live. When tyranny sets itself up to steal freedom from those who hold it precious, there will be conflict. Your willingness to fight and set others free was shared by each of your friends, son. Remember them. Never forget they understood the sacrifice of freedom, just like you, and paid the ultimate price. When others are held captive, our freedom, if it means anything at all, must rise up and defend them in their weakness. We must set them free.”

†

When Satan set himself up against his Creator, he began the work of pitting man against man, good against evil. Since then there have been casualties of war. Sadly, there will be more.
Seeing what mankind had done to His plan, God undertook the means by which we are set free. He submitted Himself to the hardships of a war He could have won with the utterance of one word. Yet with a love so deep that He could not bring Himself to destroy His Creation, He spoke to His Son, “We must set them free.” And in one act of love, They set us free!

Prayer

“Mighty God, thank You for Jesus. May we never take His sacrifice for granted. Amen.”

The Supreme Sacrifice*

Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

John 15:13 KJV

As I listened to the 2011 Memorial Day address, I thought of how so many had given so much for our freedom. Many families in our small community had sons and daughters in harms way, in a hostile land. But one individual here knew the pain of supreme sacrifice. Charles and Judy Goare’s son, Shamus had been killed in Afghanistan, and Judy was in attendance to honor of their son.      

I was reminded of another difficult and bittersweet day for the Goares: “Mr. President,” Senator Mike DeWine announced in the December 8, 2006 Session. “This afternoon I would like to pay tribute to Army Staff Sergeant Shamus Goare from Danville, Ohio. He was killed on June 28, 2005, when his helicopter was shot down over Afghanistan.”   

Midway through his tribute the Senator shared, “Mr. President, shortly before his death Shamus received a Medal of Valor for humanitarian work in Afghanistan. Shamus was working with children, which was something his father said he dearly loved…Life in the military was a good fit for Shamus. It led him to a series of selfless and compassionate acts of heroism, many of which he could not divulge to his family due to the nature of his work with the 160^th’s Night Stalkers. And true to their motto, Shamus never quit—even to the very end.”

Following the service I, as well as many others, hugged Judy and thanked her for Shamus, for his life and sacrifice, and for our freedom. In that tearful embrace Judy responded, “You are so welcome…thank you for remembering my son.”     

†

There is no way we can repay the Shamus, Judy, and Charlie Goares of this Nation. Neither can we repay Jesus for the supreme sacrifice He made on our behalf.

Shamus died so that we might live in freedom from tyranny and oppression, able to enjoy the freedom to worship as we choose.   

Jesus died to give us complete freedom, freedom from the penalty sin demands, and the freedom to spend eternity with Him. Greater love hath no man than this.      

Prayer

“Father of Comfort, be with those who have lost loved ones who have served to keep me free. And thank You for true eternal freedom through the death of Your Son, Jesus. Amen.”

*Dedicated to Judy and Charles Goare, who have given more than anyone should ever have to give.

A special thanks to all the men and women of our armed forces past and present, and their families. Thank you for my freedom.

Reverence and the Flag*

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

Proverbs 22:6

As the Color Guard marched in the parade, Chet, a retired Air Force pilot, was saddened by how many people remained seated, with hats on their heads as the American flag passed by. The men and women from his generation would never show such a lack of respect and blatant disregard for their country’s flag and the sacrifice it represented. These people seemed indifferent about the freedom they enjoyed and took for granted. Chet had lost friends and comrades in WWII, and how or why these succeeding generations failed to honor and respect such sacrifice was beyond his comprehension.  

As they proceeded, Chet’s eye caught a small boy suddenly stand to attention, salute the men and the flag, and hold his salute! With a tear sliding down his cheek, Chet returned the prescribed military gesture, realizing, There is still hope that what we’ve done will not be forgotten or taken for granted.

†

The right for Americans to arbitrarily snub their nose at their Nation’s flag has been paid for with the blood and sacrifice of brave men and women, and their families, who’ve given of themselves, building the foundation upon which others have continued to build, knowing that freedom comes at a price.

This Nation was founded by fearless men and women who stood on godly principles which, when not adhered to, breed ignorance and disrespect. By failing to pass along a sense of duty, honor, and self-sacrifice, we have lost who we are and how we arrived at this moment in history.

It is, therefore, our responsibility to train and nurture each succeeding generation, teaching them to cherish the freedom they enjoy, and help them understand what a precious commodity it is. This applies to our spiritual heritage as well.

If Jesus were to walk by would our children remain seated on the curb, or would they stand in reverence and honor, recognizing the sacrifice that was made to set them free?

Prayer

“Father of our freedom, we thank and give You honor. May we never lose sight of the sacrifice for our freedom, and may we never fail to pass on the importance of the price that was paid. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”

* Dedicated to Chester Miller, a good friend and good man