Pigheaded

December 10

But my people would not listen to me…So I gave them over to their stubborn hearts to follow their own devices.

Psalm 81:11-12

Karen was conducting research on the stubborn nature of chimpanzees. She had chosen a three-year-old male named, Bart, for this test. She watched as Bart reached through the cage to retrieve a banana she’d placed just outside the enclosure. With a firm grip he tried to pull it between the bars but couldn’t because they were too close together to permit passage of the chimp’s clenched fist.

Karen tried to get Bart’s attention so she could demonstrate a way to retrieve the banana but he was so engrossed that he refused to pay attention.

She watched as the chimp tried again and again to retrieve the banana, twisting his hand one way and then another, but refusing to let go. He reached through the bars, shifting the banana to his other hand hoping that would work, but it ended with the same results. She knew that Bart wouldn’t succeed unless he overcame his stubborn ‘one way’ approach.

Frustrated with his inability to overcome this challenge Bart launched into a frenzy jumping up and down while jerking his hand against the bars, all the time refusing to let go of the banana.

“Pigheaded monkey. If you’d only listen,” Karen said as she recorded Bart’s actions.

†

Sounds irrational, right? But the truth is we are a lot like the chimp; stubborn. We prefer to complete tasks a specific way…our way. This close-minded approach to problem solving creates more issues than it resolves.

Attempting to tackle problems on our own when there is competent help being offered is just plain obstinate. By refusing to accept assistance we’ve already begun the process of failing, especially where spiritual matters are concerned.

Obstinacy is a form of pride. And when we cling to our pride, refusing to acknowledge the truth, God will eventually stop trying to alter our course, allowing us to reap the consequences.

At what cost do we continue to embrace our pigheadedness? The choice is ours. Will we listen?

Prayer

“Lord, help me lay down my pigheaded pride and become willing to not only accept the help of others, but to seek it before things get complicated. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”

 Husbands, Love Your Wives

December 9

Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them.

Colossians 3:19

“Let’s you and me have a dance, Momma,” T.J. said as he took Irene’s hand. She smiled up at her husband as their grandson quietly played his guitar. T.J. moved his feet to the rhythm of the guitar, holding tightly to his sweetheart’s hand. In turn, Irene allowed him to move as far as she could reach.

Peering through a crack in the door so as not to interrupt, a daughter, granddaughter, and an ICU nurse witnessed this precious event. “Ohhh… That’s so sweet!” the nurse whispered, moved to tears by the love and tenderness with which the ninety-four-year-old husband treated his ailing wife. They were mute observers, watching an intimate moment.

In spite of the fact that Irene lay in a hospital bed, tubes protruding from her head following brain surgery, they acted like teenagers, with eyes only for each other. Just two lovers declaring their affection, silently stating there was no power that could dampen their spirits. They were serving notice to the Universe that through it all their love remained as strong as that day sixty-six years ago, when they’d said, “I do…”

†

What a wonderful example of love in action. T.J. was letting Irene know she was still, and would always be, his ‘dance partner’.

God created men to be strong, so when adversity comes they are equal to the challenge. But husbands must also be gentle, not allowing harshness a place in their marriage. So, God instructs husbands to be gentle, loving their wives with a tenderness that bears witness to a sacrificial love.

Men, God realized we would need reminders, so He had Paul address this specific issue in two of his letters. Why? Because men are not naturally-gentle creatures. We tend to meet life head on, with our sleeves rolled up, reserving tenderness for special occasions. By saying it twice God ensured His directive would carry the significance intended.

T.J.’s deep enduring love wasn’t forced. It had become natural for him to show Irene affection. Any man can learn to express such tenderness. It is a choice that strengthens the marriage through thoughtful acts of love.

Prayer

“Help me love the way You love, Lord. Help me be gentle when needed. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”

 Take Time To Weep

December 8

You number my wanderings; Put my tears into Your bottle; Are they not in Your book?”

Psalm 56:8 NKJV

Up until recently, I’d never lost a parent or anyone in my immediate family. But on August 18^th, 2013, that changed. My father-in-law, Thomas Jefferson ‘TJ’ Bowman, succumbed to the process of natural death. His ninety-six year old body was worn out and his will to live finally lost the battle. TJ’s goal was to live until he hit the century mark, and until a month before his death we all figured he had that in the bag.

As I reflect on our relationship I’m happy to say we were very close. For more than thirty-five years he’d been a second father to me.

One of TJ’s greatest aspirations was for somebody in the family to write a book about his life. It was my privilege to include some of his life lessons in my first devotional, ‘Snapshots: A Spiritual Look At Daily Life’.

With TJ slipping away we decided to celebrate his birthday a week early, so I went to get a cake. As I watched the baker write ‘Happy 96^th Birthday, Daddy!’ I found myself overcome with emotion. She handed the cake across the counter and wished me a wonderful day. Not trusting my voice I forced a smile, nodded my appreciation, and headed for the self-checkout. Not that I am ashamed to cry, I just didn’t want to lose it in a supermarket, void of anyone who would understand.

“Hi Craig! How are you?” came the greeting. As I turned, Amy could tell I’d been crying. Regaining composure I explained.

“Ohhh… I’m sorry for your pain.”

Which started me weeping again…

†

In today’s text David tells us that God cares for us so deeply that He sees and keeps every tear we cry. TJ’s passing made me keenly aware that the weeping I’d observed during others’ loss would now become a part of my life for a time.

Allowing our emotions the freedom to surface brings us one step closer to the healing God provides through cleansing tears. Whether it’s with someone you feel safe, or by yourself, take time to mourn your loss, and weep knowing God will collect each tear.

Prayer

“Father God, use the tears I cry to bring peace and healing to my broken heart. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”

 Decisions Decisions

December 7

Good and upright is the Lord…He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way.

Psalm 25:8, 9

Kelsey’s face was smushed against the front of the case, her hands shrouding her eyes to cut the glare of the sun on the glass. She’d been poised in this position for more than two minutes. Every once in a while she’d shift her line of sight, but never too far from the candied licorice directly in front of her. That was her favorite!

The clerk grinned, glancing at the youngster every now and then. She knew Kelsey would make a decision in due time, this had become a routine of sorts. Every Friday afternoon, Kelsey, armed with a quarter, would traipse into the store and head directly to the penny-candy counter. The all-glass case allowed an unrestricted view of the sixty-eight different varieties of sweet delight just the other side of the glass.

Kelsey would toil over which candy to buy but would eventually settle on her usual: six pieces of layered licorice coated in coconut, and as many jellybeans as the remaining money would buy, followed by the same remark, “There’s too many choices! I just can’t make up my mind! I’d really like to try something different but I don’t know if I’d like it."

“How about I give you a piece of something different for free, just so you can try it…?” the clerk offered.

Kelsey’s eyes lit up, “Really? You’d gimme a freebie?”

“Sure Honey. Then you’ll know if you want to choose something different next time.”

†

Give a child too many choices and they have a hard time making a decision; many times, when overwhelmed with options, they make the wrong choice. Understandably, children need guidance to make good choices.

This is true with adults as well. Given the myriad temptations society provides nowadays it is difficult for anyone to make good/wise choices all the time. We need help, and God offers free guidance if we will humble ourselves enough to ask.

Prayer

“God, I need Your help today. Show me the right path to take and teach me to make the correct choices as I navigate my way through life. In Jesus’ Name, amen!”

 It’s All About God’s Timing

December 6

Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.

1Peter 5:6

Looking at the caller I.D, I smiled, “Hi Don! How’ve you been?”

“Good, good!” he answered.

“What’s going on?”

There was a controlled excitement in his voice. “Well…since I haven’t seen you lately I thought I’d touch base with you.”

“Sounds like something’s happened?” I prompted.

“I got that miracle I’ve been praying for!”

I was genuinely excited for him. “How? When?”

He launched into an explanation. “The other night I was watchin’ a ball game. When it ended I changed the channel to Jimmy Swaggart. Just as I changed the channel Rev. Swaggart said, ‘If any of you need a healing, now is the time to get it!’ So I laid my hands on my stomach and claimed, ‘Lord, I believe in the work of the cross and all its benefits. I claim this healing in the Name of Jesus!’ Nothing strange happened and I went to bed thinking maybe nothing was gonna happen. But when I woke up the next morning, I was healed!”

“That’s awesome, Don! Thank You, Jesus!”

†

During Don’s physical struggles he steadfastly maintained that God could heal him, and would, when and if He chose to. Many prayers had been lifted on his behalf throughout his seven year battle, so, why now? Had Don believed any different this time? Had he asked the right way this time? Was God in a generous mood that day?

I can tell you with certainty that neither of the first two reasons ever stood as barriers to God’s ability and desire to heal Don, and God is always in a generous mood.

I can say with certainty that it was all about timing: God’s timing. God’s desire was to heal Don from the moment the first prayer was uttered, but the time wasn’t right. How do I know? Because Don didn’t receive healing until now.

When God’s timing (in due time) meets with our need, healing will most certainly happen. If you’ve been asking for a healing that you have not yet received, remain patient, keep asking in faith, and humbly await God’s timing!

Prayer

“Lord, I proclaim that Jesus died on the Cross of Calvary to secure my salvation and healing, and I wait in faith for Your timing. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”

 All He Wanted Was Peace

December 5

…and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Acts 1:8

At age twenty-four, Dwight set out to “See the world with Christ”. His lifestyle of hitchhiking from town to town in search of that day’s destination had shown him more of the United States than most. Now, at fifty-one, Dwight related parts of his journey, and some of the challenges he’d experienced.

“I’ve traveled through more than forty states and seen a lot of things over the years. I have met some interesting people. Many good people, some of which God has used to provide for my needs.”

“I imagine you’ve known hunger, cold, heat…just about every extreme a man would expect to encounter?” I questioned.

He smiled. “Yes, I’ve been hungry on many occasions; cold, hot, tired, and weak too. I’ve spent two decades praying, asking God to guide me to my next destination, somewhere I would find food and shelter.”

“Didn’t you ever want more?” I asked. “Like a home or long-term relationships?”

“No. I have always felt that God wanted me to travel, taking advantage of each opportunity He gives me to speak about His love. No…I can honestly say I’ve never missed those things. I enjoy this life, and want nothing more than to crisscross the country for Jesus, seeing where He’ll lead me next. Truth is…all I ever wanted was His peace, and He gives it to me daily.”

†

Today’s text says that we who know Jesus as Lord and Savior will tell others about Him. That is exactly what Dwight does, asking only for God’s peace to sustain him as he travels a sometimes difficult and desolate route.

I cannot imagine there are many who would leave family, home, and comfort, in exchange for the struggles Dwight meets on a daily basis in an effort to witness God’s peace to others. It is a challenging mission.

And lest we judge, remember, the Disciples were all men who left steady employment, family, and comfort to travel as God’s vagabonds, speaking of His glorious riches, receiving only God’s peace in return.

It is enough for Dwight. Would it be enough for us?

Prayer

“Father, keep Dwight safe today. Use him to expand the knowledge of Who You are to those he meets. In Jesus’ Name, amen.

 Is Your DNA On Your Bible?

December 4

The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life.

John 6:63

As I glanced at the woman sitting beside me I took note of the tattered Bible in her lap. It looked well-used and old, but cared for. The cover was torn and was in desperate need of rebinding. I smiled as I watched her thumbs tenderly caress it, making small circles on the front cover. She moved her hand just long enough for me to catch a glimpse of the indentations in the leather; evidently she’d been rubbing it for some time. Her actions testified to the value she placed on God’s word. This Bible was special to her.

But what really caught my eye, and what made the deepest impression, were the edges of the onionskin pages as the Bible lay closed. Smudged and fingerprinted, the page ends gave mute testimony to the frequency of use. The once-white pages were actually darker in contrast than the brown leather cover.

I took a closer look at her hands to see if dirt might have played a part in soiling these pages. Not surprised, I saw they were clean hands, with recently polished and manicured nails. These smudges came from an accumulation of skin oil over many years. This Bible was her personal love letter from God, well read and greatly treasured. The last thought I had just as the service started was I’ll bet you could swab those pages and get her DNA from them!

†

Bibles don’t accidentally end up in this condition. It happens on purpose, over an extended period of time. To have soiled the pages to this extent would require daily reading over many years.

Jesus, in today’s text, told the Disciples that His words were spirit and life; something the woman sitting beside me knew intimately.

God gave us His word, with His DNA, for nourishment and guidance. Regular nourishment is an option; we can choose to go hungry.

If we accidentally left our Bible behind at church, and there was no name in it, could a team of forensic scientists swab the pages and find our DNA?

Prayer

“Lord, create in me a hunger to feast on Your word. Reveal Yourself to me in the pages of my Bible and nourish my soul. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”