A Vaccine, A Light at the End of the Tunnel and Where is the Church?

Mark the date: December 8, 2020, the day England started vaccinating people against COVID-19. The United States would start vaccinating on the 14th, which means we are also moving into the next phase in the battle against the disease. In at least one news report I heard someone say that we are seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. While not everyone agrees, there are many for whom these vaccines are a source of hope. It’s a promise that we might be able to revive the world’s economies and that we might be able to gather without worrying about super spreader events. The vaccines have brought hope. And as I think about this I also find myself wondering where the church has been during the last 9 months of the pandemic. Specifically has the church been a source of hope during a time when hope is exactly what people needed?

From time to time over the last nine months I have seen churches doing things like feeding people and even working with doctors to get people tested for COVID-19. I do believe that on the local level churches across this country (and around the world) have done their best to help people survive the fallout from this pandemic. I’m not knocking those churches and denominations that have done their best out of love for their neighbors but I do knock the press that did not give these heroes the attention they deserve. Somehow, even though many believers reached out to others, the national story about the church seemed all too often to be about something else.

All too often over the last nine months, when Christians made the news it was about something other than offering hope to their neighbors. Usually churches were in the news because they were fighting against the local government. For the record, I struggle with the idea of restrictions on worship services while bars and casinos are allowed to stay open. At the same time I believe churches can and should deal with this without demonizing officials who are just trying to do what they think best. I also find it amusing that so many of us fight for the right to fill our pews while being critical of those who stand for the right of blacks to live without having to fear that an armed government official might take away their lives.

So, as man made vaccines bring hope to mankind, maybe it’s time for the church to do some self examination. Maybe it’s time for the church to look at its message. Are we offering hope to the world based on the teachings of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ? Are we the ones people turn to when life looks hopeless? COVID causing emotional and mental distress, is the church ready to minister? Are we still letting people know that God does exist and yes, He cares? If we are not a source of hope in tough times, then what exactly is the church?

See also: “Is The Church Still A Source of Hope?” posted July 1, 2020

How God Blessed Us in September

The Christian walk is not always a smooth walk. I wish that it was but it's not. Christians suffer loss just like anyone else. What's different is that we have God on our side. He has a plan and He promises to work all for our good, even those situations we would rather avoid. He will always provide for the needs of His children. He even provides a listening ear when we need to pour out our hearts in sorrow and despair. We all have our ups and our downs and God is with the believer through them all.

During September 2020 the COVID economy finally caught up with my household. My wife was contacted by the HR department at her job and the regional head of the department informed her that she was being furloughed. This was an unexpected shock which left us with numerous questions. Fortunately we know where to turn when we need numerous answers.

Sometimes it's difficult to explain the peace that God bestows upon His children. When bad news threatens to knock us off course, it's comforting to be able to say, "God you've got this," We walk into the unknown knowing that God sees all and knows all. Yes we were shocked by the news and I was tempted to give into fear as I thought about facing our bills with one less paycheck. But instead of giving into that fear we listened to the promises of our Lord and called out to Him for both His comfort and His direction. We respectfully and humbly asked questions, knowing by faith that He would answer.

God kept us in His peace. He then opened the door to another job for my wife. In fact there were two different jobs, both with the same company for which my wife has worked for the last few years. The pay is less than what she was making but so is the level of stress. God continues to provide for our needs. He also continues to open doors as opportunities continue to present themselves. (Please pray for us as we explore these opportunities.)

God has a plan. As we wait for it to unfold we lean upon Him trusting that He will never forsake us. He will always provide for me and my family. He will do the same for you. Trust in Him.

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.”

Jeremiah 29:11

Inside, Outside or Down the Lane

 

Exodus 33:7-11

Exodus 33:7-11 describes three very different relationships, each an opportunity to worship God but each also being very different. I don't think any of them are the wrong relationship but they were definitely a matter of good, better, best. Of late I've been thinking about these three positions, wondering where I am. One thing is for certain, wherever I am right now, my goal is to be in the tent.

Whenever the nation of Israel set up camp during their journey from Egypt to the Promised Land, Moses would pitch his tent far from everyone else and when anyone wanted to seek the Lord they came out of the camp to this Tabernacle of Meeting. I suspect this was a journey of faith for those who wanted the wisdom only God could provide. But something special happened when Moses entered the tent. When Moses went in God did something highly unusual: "So the Lord spoke to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend." (Exodus 33:11)

Here's the picture painted by this passage. The people are all in the camp, each at his own tent. They stand and watch as Moses enters the tent. As he does so, the pillar of cloud descends in front of the tent and the people begin to worship, I suspect this was a natural response to what must have been an unbelievable sight. Those who worshipped from their tents were in a good position but there was someone who was in a better position.

The Bible says that Joshua would not leave the tabernacle of meeting. It's not clear if he was inside or outside the tent when God and Moses spoke but clearly He was someplace close by. My guess is he was outside. Imagine standing just outside the tabernacle of meeting as Moses entered and the pillar descended. If this was where Joshua stood or knelt, could he feel the turbulence as the pillar changed the atmosphere around it? Was Joshua close enough to overhear the conversation? I know it's rude to eavesdrop but how could you resist listening to the voice of God? (Don't answer that.) If Joshua was outside the tent, he was in a better position than most of the people but he still was not in the best position.

The best position was that held by Moses, inside the tent. There God spoke to Moses as a man speaks to a friend. These devotional times had to have been very special. Can you imagine what that must have been like? What did Moses see? What does God's voice sound like? Did they only talk about major issues or did they talk about the weather or about the kids running races down in the camp? I've said plenty of prayers of various kinds in my lifetime but if I were in that tent like Moses was, I think I'd be too scared to speak. Still, I think Moses had the best seat in the house...I mean camp.

It would be awesome to be in that tent. But guess what? We are all in God's presence just the same and believers have God's Spirit living inside them. God has invited us in. But where are you? By faith do you live and pray as if you are in the presence of God? Do you approach your prayer life as if God is with you and is listening? God wants a close intimate relationship, calling upon us to pray without ceasing. But, by faith, where are you spiritually? Are you inside the tent, outside the tent or are you down the lane?

How God Blessed Us In August 2020

Well, a puddle around the bottom of our hot water heater was anything but a blessing. Fortunately, what promised to be a headache instead became an opportunity to see how God provides.

I suppose I should have gotten rid of the old hot water heater before it started rusting. The person who installed it wrote the date on its side, so I knew it was already twelve years old. For the first three or four years I was good about draining it to remove all of the sediment that forms at the bottom. But as the years passed I became a little less diligent about maintaining the unit. And then I stopped draining it altogether. So I shouldn't have been surprised at the ring of water forming around the bottom of the unit as it had finally rusted through.

What was surprising was the estimate for replacing the unit. I know I didn't pay that much twelve years ago. The cost of homeownership has definitely gone up in a way that seems somewhat unfair and with all that's going on during this ride we call life, the last thing I wanted was to have to pay for a repair. Fortunately my Provider is always a step or two ahead.

There have been a number of times in my life where I found myself with an unexpected sum of money that wound up being just what we needed for a repair or for some other unexpected event. This time was no different. We had a lump sum sitting in the bank that we were able to set aside for remodeling but somehow we just couldn't get the project going. It was like a little voice kept saying, "It's not the right time," as we kept being redirected away from our chosen path to a much different path.

As a result of not being able to start that project we had exactly what was quoted for the surprise repair, right down to the penny. We paid cash for our new hot water heater. There was no need to borrow nor did we have to dig into savings. The money was there right when we needed it. What was a surprise to us was not a surprise to God and He directed us to the path we needed to be on.

God provided once again. And you know what? I believe He will provide for the remodeling we have planned. He is also ready to step in the next time we need to make repairs. In fact, He has already provided for the long overdue removal of a tree in our backyard. Once again we will be able to pay cash for a big project and I thank God for providing for us this summer.

Now I know that some of you will dismiss this as simply a result of my wife and my hard work and as a result of good money management. That's ok for you to think that and both of those things were involved here to some degree. But I've seen time and time again where what is provided goes beyond the monthly normal and what we could do on our own. I've seen coincidence after coincidence that go beyond expectation. Most of all I've seen God promise and then deliver. I take comfort in knowing that this is what He does for His children.

How is God blessing you today?

Where Do You Draw the Line on Obedience?

Would you do anything for God? What if He asks you to do something embarrassing? In Isaiah 20, God wanted to send a sign to the Egyptians and the Ethiopians letting them know that they would soon be led off into captivity. To get everyone’s attention, God asked Isaiah to do something embarrassing. Now, God could have asked Isaiah to speak a prophetic word or even to perform a few miracles. That’s the kind of stuff we normally see in the Old Testament. He could have asked Isaiah to lead a praise service or to start a new program, the kinds of things we would expect in today’s church. God did not ask for any of the typical things associated with religion. Instead He asked Isaiah to take off his clothes and to go for a walk.

According to Matthew Henry's Commentary there is debate as to whether or not Isaiah was naked or if he was in his skivvies. Either way he was dressed (or undressed) in a way that would cause most people to run for cover. Hopefully the weather cooperated. I suspect most people, upon hearing God’s call, would have tried to back out but Isaiah did not hide from God’s command nor did he hide from his neighbors. Based on what the Bible says, Isaiah walked through town in this state for three days: three days of funny looks and embarrassing comments. Knowing that he was a prophet, the people probably recognized that this was not some college stunt. Still, this had to be a humiliating experience.

What if God asked you to take off your clothes and walk through your neighborhood? Would you do it? What if God asked for something less embarrassing but just as difficult? Would you do it? What if it were neither embarrassing nor difficult but was inconvenient? Where do you draw the line? Isaiah proved that nothing would stand between him and obedience to his LORD, not even his own clothes. I fear he puts us all to shame. I look at my own track record and realize I've put limits on my obedience to my LORD. Where do you draw the line on your obedience to God’s will? Whose more willing to obey God, you or Isaiah?

Roller Coasters and Trusting God

In my last post I wrote about my first time riding on a looping roller coaster but that wasn't my first roller coaster ride. My first was the Screamin' Eagle at Six Flags, St. Louis. Back then it was called Six Flags, Mid-America and the Screamin' Eagle was a Guinness World Record holder when it opened in 1976 due to its 110 foot climb. I didn't think about it at the time, but by riding I was putting a lot of trust in a lot of people starting with John Allen, the designer of the awe inspiring wooden coaster. I didn’t know him but I am glad he knew what he was doing when he designed his awe inspiring coaster.

In fact, whenever you or I get on a coaster we are putting our trust in a lot of people. There are the designers and their computer simulations. (Yes I know the simulations don't count as people but we trust them all the same.) We trust the builders, hoping they followed the designs to a "T". We trust the maintenance workers and the inspectors whose jobs are to keep the ride safe.  We even trust the teenagers who spend their summers trying to earn a buck while watching others have fun. We wouldn't trust them with our cars but we trust them with our safety on a roller coaster. (Ok, let’s try not to think about that.) The point is we trust a lot of people to keep us safe on a roller coaster even though we really don't think about or even know them.

The same can be said when we drive a car or when we enter a building. We put our trust in the engineers and architects. We trust the mechanics and repairmen to do a good job and to keep us safe. We find ourselves trusting in the workmanship, ability and integrity of people we often have never met. We simply use their products without taking even one moment to think about whether or not they've done enough to keep us safe. We simply trust.

So, is God on that list of people you trust? What about when God asks you to step out of your comfort zone? Do you trust God when He asks you to weather the storm or when He asks you to wait? Do you trust Him enough to be still when every ounce of your being says it's time to move? We call our religion the Christian faith. Faith is all about trust even when our own understanding says otherwise. That is part of the call: that we trust God even when it's uncomfortable to do so. We are called to have faith without any limits on how far we trust Him.

So, even when it's difficult, even in the storms, even when life is like a roller coaster, do you trust God?

Looping Coasters and...What's Her Name?

As a codependent one of the first things to go was my ability to trust. Trust leaves you vulnerable and when you trust an alcoholic, as I did, trust wrecks your life. You quickly learn that being vulnerable can leave long lasting emotional injuries from which it seems impossible to heal. My most important relationship was too unpredictable and too full of pain for me to trust anyone else, including myself. So it was easier to just not trust anyone. In fact, as a child the only thing that I feared more than trusting someone was...well...looping roller coasters.

Back then my favorite roller coaster was any coaster that didn't have loops. I could tolerate the highest hills and the steepest drops. High speed turns were a must as I wanted to feel g-forces, the kind that made it hard to sit up straight. I loved (and still love) wooden coasters even if they sometimes felt rickety and metal coasters are fine, although the smooth ride takes away some of the feeling of speed. Up, down and around, roller coasters have always been my favorite part of going to an amusement park and I would ride any coaster as long as it didn't turn me upside down.

I'm not sure why I was afraid of loops and corkscrews, afterall I knew the physics behind why I wouldn't fall out. My dad is an engineer so I knew the physics behind a number of things and he demonstrated the concept behind a loop by using a glass of ice. The ice barely moved as the glass flipped over. It didn't even raise its hands and scream. (Silly ice, screaming is the best part of the ride.) There was no reason to be afraid but I chose to miss out until that fateful day when my 6th grade class took a field trip to Old Chicago Amusement Park.

Old Chicago Amusement Park was a bit of an oddity in its day: a fully enclosed amusement park wrapped in a shopping mall. Opened in 1975, it was billed as the first indoor amusement park (Mall of America opened years later  in 1992). I doubt the park ever made any money. The rumor back then was that it was built to be a massive tax writeoff. By the time of our class trip it was already clear that the park was in trouble. Many of the stores were closed leaving the mall section with a number of boarded up storefronts painted to look like they were stores from an 1890s era main street. Of course as preteens we didn't care about the boarded up stores, even though we had to pass them all to get to where the rides were. We only cared about two things: the rides and which one of the girls we would ride with.

Funny but I can't remember her name now but back then I would have done anything for her. She knew it and all our friends knew it as well. And so she became the one designated to get me to go where I said I would never go, into the queue of the Chicago Loop: a looping roller coaster named after the section of the city where Grant Park and the Willis Tower (Sears Tower) are located. My friends were quick to correct me telling me they were corkscrews not loops. Either way they turned riders upside down and everyone knew that the idea of a loop made me weak in the knees. But she asked and I was stuck riding the coaster. Anything to sit next to what's her name.

I was scared...to,,,death! So, as the ride pulled off I did what any red blooded coward would do. I closed my eyes. Did you know that with your eyes closed a ride on a roller coaster is over before you realize you've hit the bottom of the first drop? Yes you still get that feeling in your stomach on the first drop but the rest of the ride feels kind of like a wobbly seesaw. I couldn't believe it when the ride was over. What had I been so afraid of?

Later, what's her name conned me into buying her lunch. After that I didn't see her again...ever again. We wound up going to different schools the next year. Such is the life of a preteen. She was out of my life. In her wake I was left with a love for looping roller coasters.

Now I can't leave an amusement park without riding every coaster no matter what type. Just ask my family about the long queue lines. One time we stood in a queue line that was so long that it had a concession stand about a quarter of the way down its length. The ride was worth the wait (the food wasn't worth it but the coaster was). I love roller coasters, especially when they turn me upside down. I wish I could thank ole’ what's her name for getting me on the Loop. If only I could remember her name!

(I understand that as Old Chicago was closing a number of its rides were sold to other amusement parks. The Chicago Loop is now the Canobie Corkscrew located in Canobie Lake Park in New Hampshire.)

How God Blessed Us: Pandemic Edition II

Let me start this post by acknowledging the fact that a lot of you are hurting right now. We've lost friends and family to COVID-19. We watch as loved ones suffer from symptoms of the disease, hoping and praying that we will see them get better. Government unemployment numbers tell us that a lot of people are out of work. Many are wondering where their next meal will come from and how they will keep a roof over their heads. Some have already lost both. There is plenty of pain and suffering and fear to go around. It is wrong to overlook those facts.

If you are struggling and/or hurting right now I want to encourage you to reach out to others. Don't suffer alone. You are blessed with people around you. Reach out! There is someone in your life who cares. You might have to do some leg work to find them but they are there. Reach out and let others help you carry your burdens. Let others be a blessing in your time of need.

By now you are probably wondering when I will mention God. Actually I did in that last paragraph. You see, the reason I know there are people around you who care is because I know God has put them there. He has placed people nearby who are empowered to help, people who can bless you because God will work through them to do what is needed. Not everyone fits this description and you may have to push past a lot of people to see the one sent by God, (I speak from experience on this one) but the simple fact is that God is there and He wants to help. His children are here to carry out His mission.

I would normally list the material and emotional ways that God has blessed me and my family over the last month or two. This time I want to speak of the greatest blessing He has given me. The greatest blessing I have received is His presence. Him being here is more valuable than any other of the multiple blessings I’ve received. I am blessed to have the relationship I have with the Father, to endure the last few months in the peace that comes with knowing He is with me. No matter what, I know He cares and will provide for me and my family. He wants you to receive the same blessing. He is knocking. Won't you open the door?

Putting A Stop Sign Up To Gossip

Recently I was asked to define gossip and to explain the difference between gossiping and calling out injustice. I gave the definitions I've learned during various Bible studies along with a few other thoughts. Then I went and prayed, something I realize I should have done first. While I was in prayer a question boiled up in my heart. It's a simple question, one I am going to start asking myself often. I passed it along to the person who asked about gossiping and would like to pass it along to you just to give you something to think about.

Before I do so, I admit to you that this is an area where I have not always been in the right. This question has already helped me see how far off course I am. It is a question which, if you answer honestly and prayerfully, will likely change your conversations. Are you ready for change? Then start asking yourself:

"Is this a conversation I can have about someone I truly love?"

It's that simple. But keep in mind that followers of Jesus are called to love everyone. So anything we would say about anyone should be limited by the fact that we love that person. And anything that can't be said out of love?...well...you should probably keep your mouth shut.

They Were Outside in Prayer

How's your prayer life? How about your church's prayer life. I ask because it seems like time and time again when there is a life changing event there are also people praying. It's as if God orchestrates His timing in such a way that His biggest blessings are received when His people seek Him in prayer. So if your prayer life or your church's prayer life are off, you might be missing out.

I wonder if Zacharias and Elizabeth understood the blessings of prayer before John was born. I suspect that they did. After all, Luke tells us that "...they were both righteous before God." (Luke 1:7). I suspect anyone who is counted as righteous likely has a good prayer life. We know from the faith chapter (Hebrews 11) that faith factors in as well. So most likely Zacharias and Elizabeth were people of faith who, although left without a child, continued to believe in God and to lift up prayers of faith in their Lord God.

And so it was that while Zacharias was alone fulfilling His duties in the temple that he was surprised by the appearance of an angel (Luke 1:11-12). As exciting and impressive as this is, it's important that we don't overlook what was going on outside the temple while Zacharias was inside. The Bible tells us that while Zacharias was inside the temple the people were outside praying (Luke 1:10). Remember the chain of events that is about to happen. Zecharias sees an angel and learns that he will have a son. This son was to be unique and would prepare the way for the savior of the world. What are the people of God doing as God's plans are revealed by an angel? They are praying!

Furthermore the angel tells Zacharias that his prayer has been answered. Prayer was an important part of God's plan. It was important that Zacharias and Elizabeth be people of prayer even though his faith was not perfect. It was important that the people were praying. How do we know it's important? We know because the Bible mentions these prayers. Were they all praying for Zacharias to have a son? I doubt it and I doubt Zacharias and Elizabeth were praying for someone like John. But it was important that they were praying and their prayers put them all in position to witness God in action.

I do not think it a coincidence that the people were praying when the angel appeared. I believe that an individual and a church that are dedicated to prayer will get many chances to see God in action today. So I ask again, how is your prayer life? How is your church's prayer life? Are you missing out?

Are Christians Innocent and What Happened on the Cross?

The cross: Christianity's most recognizable symbol. Believers look upon it and are reminded of the gift of salvation offered to all and received by those who believe. But the people of Rome likely saw something else. Back then crosses stood in public places for all to see and for passersby the cross made one single declaration. It was Rome's way of announcing that a person had been tried and found guilty as charged. But who is really guilty when it comes to the cross of Jesus Christ? To answer that question we must look at what really happened upon that cross.

To best understand what happened on the cross of Jesus Christ we need only look at what happened to Barabbas. Barabbas had been found guilty of taking part in a rebellion during which someone was murdered. He and his co-conspirators were being kept on Rome's version of death row when Pontus Pilate offered to turn loose one prisoner. Pilate offered the people a choice between releasing Barabbas or releasing Jesus. The people chose Barabbas. As a result, the guilty went free leaving the innocent to die in his place.

The Bible says that all have sinned (Romans 3:23). We are all guilty of violating our creator's moral standard. As a result we all have been sentenced but not all will receive the punishment we have earned. Our creator has made a choice. As a result you and I have the opportunity to go free. In our place we leave behind the innocent who served our sentence. Like Barabbas we can go free knowing that Jesus, the Son of God, suffered a punishment that was meant for us.

So what really happened at the cross? An innocent man, a man who never sinned, died and the guilty went free. Who was guilty? Who really deserves to be punished? Barnabbas was guilty. I am guilty. You are guilty. We all have been found guilty. And yes Christians were found guilty as charged. Fortunately our Judge chose to accept the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross as payment for our sins. By faith we can choose to agree with God that we are guilty and that because of what happened on that cross, our sins are fully forgiven and completely washed away.

Is The Church Still A Source of Hope?

Is today's church a source of hope during difficult times?

One of my favorite television shows is Food Network's Restaurant Impossible, starring Robert Irvine. In each episode Chef Irvine visits a failing restaurant. Early episodes involved Irvine showing up unexpectedly, having been invited by someone close to the restaurant's owner. More recently Irvine's visits are scheduled but owners sometimes still seem caught off guard by the force of Irvine's personality. (Executive producer Marc Summers once called Chef Irvine a cartoon character come to life and it seems like Irvine is quite the experience.) Irvine doesn't just fix the restaurant, he challenges the mindset that caused the restaurant to fail in the first place. In 48 hours Irvine and his crew breathe life into a desperate situation, leaving behind the hope of future success.

I find myself wondering if I instill the same feeling of hope in those around me. After all, the Bible does say that as a follower of Christ I should have an impact on those around me. The Bible says that I, along with my brothers and sisters in Christ, am the salt of the earth. Salt takes something that is bland and makes it taste better. Salt takes something that's basic and lifts it up, enhancing the flavor and giving hope that the meal will be spectacular. In Christ, we believers are called to lift up those around us, giving hope of a better outcome no matter the situation. Is the church still in the business of offering hope? Am I?

What Do You See?

I would love to have a heart to heart talk with former police officer Derek Chauvin. I want to look Mr. Chauvin in the eye and ask him one question. If given a chance I would ask him what he saw under his knee. What did he think about the person he knelt on for over eight minutes? Did he even see a person?

I would also love to have a heart to heart with Amy Cooper. I have three questions for Ms. Cooper. First, I would like to know if she knew and understood the leash law that applied to the area of Central Park where she was walking her dog. I checked woofadvisor.com which lists The Ramble, where the incident took place, as one of the "Areas of Central Park where dogs must be on leash at all times..." The site also shows a map of areas in the park that are dog friendly. Did Ms. Cooper know ahead of time that she should have had her dog on a leash? That leads to my second question: Will she pay the fine (if any) for not having her dog on a leash?

My third question for Ms. Cooper is similar to the question I want to ask Mr. Chauvin. What did she see? Did she see a human being simply trying to enjoy a day of bird watching? Did she see a person who only asked that she obey the rules as I suspect he would have had he had a dog with him? Did she see a fellow citizen of Earth? Was she practicing some strange form of social distancing?

I likely will never have that heart to heart with officer Chauvin nor is it likely I'll have one with Ms. Cooper. I can have a heart to heart with you, the reader. May I ask, what did you see? I ask this especially to my brothers and sisters in Christ. What did you see? Did you only see rioters and looters? Those who did these things were WRONG. Did you see the people? Did you see the hearts crying out? Did you see people created in God's image? Yes some of them did wrong. Such is the nature of man which the Bible calls fallen. The Bible also calls you to reach out in God's love. I suppose what you see lets you off the hook? Not if you see what God sees.

By the way here is a website listing all of Central Park’s dog laws along with a PDF of The Dog Owner Guide to Central Park

Are You An Impostor?

Are you an impostor? I'm guessing probably not. Would you tell me if you were? Try this on for size. Do you suffer from impostor syndrome? I honestly never thought about this until the pandemic. After receiving a Zoom invite, I sank into a large pool of fear. The upcoming meeting was the first for the team that would orchestrate returning to work at the day job once the state gave the okay. Something just didn't feel right. I felt like I didn't belong in this meeting. I felt like an impostor.

Have you ever been there?

A quick internet search revealed that Impostor Syndrome is common and that it comes in different forms. At its core it involves doubt. We doubt our past experiences, writing them off as a result of luck not skill or talent. This doubt feeds fear and anxiety as we face the possibility that we'll be revealed as being a fraud. Does that sound familiar?

As with any problem, the internet is full of answers and techniques for dealing with impostor syndrome. I'm sure many of them work. A good number of them don't. I know two things that always work: prayer and truth. Prayer is our connection with God and the Bible promises that God will equip us for the task ahead. So when we stop to enjoy connecting with God, we can also ask how He plans to equip us to glorify His name while standing strong in the face of the challenge.

God also uses prayer time as an opportunity to reveal truth, especially the truth of who we are. People of faith are not impostors. We are children of the living God. Our lives are in His hands and He is orchestrating things according to His perfect will. And like any good Father, God is here to help. He wants us to succeed and will always put us in the right place at the right time.

I prayed and read the Bible before the meeting. I then brainstormed, preparing with a quieted mind under God's leadership. In the end I was over prepared and during follow up meetings I received compliments for my contributions. What happened proved I am not an impostor. I thank God for opening my eyes and for preparing me for a very productive meeting.

Why is the Message Often Lost?

It really stung! Someone I truly love and admire said it. "All lives matter," he said with a shrug as he turned away. He caught me off guard and I honestly don't remember how we even found ourselves talking about it. Taken aback by his comment I couldn't even pull my thoughts together and fear that my response...my reaction was not very coherent. Whatever my message was, I let it get lost because I couldn't keep my normally even keel. And as I watch today’s riots happening in many of our cities, I wonder if the message will once again get lost as it did that evening in my friend's living room and as it did back in 2017 when the NFL gave in to pressure, cracking down on players who chose to take a knee to protest police brutality.

Now those who wish not to face the truth can choose to focus on something else. They can (rightfully) complain about the destruction, about the thefts and about the violence aimed at our cities' police officers. (To those who seek confrontation remember when thrown, a bottle can't tell the difference between a good cop and a bad one.) A riot changes the focus as we (rightfully) become concerned about the innocent business owners (some of whom are black) whose dreams have gone up in smoke. The story now is about violence, as those who do not want to admit the bigger problem find it easier to complain about "these people," allowing their anger over one wrong to keep them from dealing with the other wrong.

Here's where the focus should remain. An officer of the law put his knee on the neck of a human being. A man begged for his life for six minutes as another man knelt on him. (Odd how taking a knee has moved from a controversial statement of dissatisfaction to a controversial way to rob a man of his life.) For two or three minutes after George Floyd stopped talking, that knee remained on his neck. After eight and a half minutes of someone kneeling on him, a person, a citizen of the United States, an American was DEAD. And we now have two different autopsies, one saying that George Floyd died of asphyxiation the other that pressure on his neck contributed to his death. In other words, he died because he couldn’t breath!

Before we deal with race, there is a question we must ask and we can’t let what is happening during these protests distract us. Ask yourself: Do you want a country where a man (with or without a badge) thinks it’s okay to kneel on another (handcuffed) man? If you think this is wrong, don't let the real message get lost.

See also:

Medical examiner and family-commissioned autopsy agree: George Floyd's death was a homicide

Do You Stand With or Against Kaepernick?

Taking A Knee, Losing The Message: Why the NFL Should Stop Kneeling

Is Jesus Limited in Your Life?

"Now He could do no mighty work there..."

Mark 6:5 (NKJV)

This statement has long baffled me. How is it that Jesus, God in the flesh, seemed limited while visiting His home town? Is it possible that when I need Him I might find Him limited in my own life? Is it possible you'll find Him limited in your life? I think I need to know before facing the trials of daily life. Is Jesus limited? I believe the answer is found by looking back one chapter to Mark’s description of the healing of a woman who had suffered with poor health for a number of years.

Beginning in verse 21, Mark 5 describes a journey during which Jesus heals two different people. Jesus and His disciples had just left the Gadarenes following His deliverance of the man who was delivered from Legion. As Jesus stepped onto the shore a crowd began to gather around Him. Among those seeking Jesus' attention was a leader from the local synagogue.

Jarius desperately fell at Jesus' feet, explaining that his daughter was sick and at the point of death. He begged Jesus, asking Him to come and lay hands on his daughter. He believed that if Jesus would do so, his daughter would live. So Jesus went with Jairus to his home followed by a large crowd of people.

In the midst of this crowd was a woman who had been sick for twelve years. I can't begin to imagine what this woman felt. Twelve years of suffering. Twelve years of doctor's visits and their version of medical bills. Twelve years of getting worse instead of better. And remember, there was no insurance available to cover her costs. This was a desperate woman reaching out in the hope that this Jesus might bring physical, and perhaps even emotional, healing.

With so many people around Him, the woman should have been able to touch Jesus' clothes without anyone noticing. However when she touched Him, Jesus immediately turned around. What was different about her touch versus all the other hands and bumps Jesus endured in the crowd? The Bible tells us that when the woman touched Jesus power went out of Him. Where did this power go? The power went into the woman and I believe it was the power to be made whole. By faith she immediately benefited from this power and was healed, released from her twelve year ordeal.

I believe this same power was available when Jesus visited Nazareth in chapter 6. He offered the same healing and the same abundant life that He made available everywhere He visited. But to receive these gifts people had to believe. By faith, those around Him had to allow Jesus to transfer His power to them. Unfortunately His neighbors refused to believe. As a result they could not receive, even though Jesus still had the power to do mighty things. So after marveling at their unbelief, Jesus gathered His gifts and moved on.

"I am the vine, you are the branches..."

John 15:5

Abundant life and all that comes with it is still available today. To receive we must believe in Jesus. By faith we must become branches grafted into Jesus Who is the vine. He offers the power but we must believe in order to draw from our Source. You can live a life where you rise above every situation. To do so you need only let Jesus' power flow according to His will. How do you receive His power? You do so by faith.

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

Philippians 4:13

A Forced Sabbatical and Post Pandemic Changes

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While I have had to do some work during the stay-at-home season, the workload has not been nearly as much as I am used to. At first this was a bit intimidating. I am blessed and fortunate to still have a job and the paycheck that comes with, but I felt like I needed to be doing something for 7-8 hours per day. There's just one problem. The nature of my position at the day job is such that I need to be in the building to do most of my work. And so I do what I can and then the rest of my day is sort of like being on a sabbatical, which would be nice if I knew how to handle being on sabbatical.

It seems like being on a sabbatical should be easy, just stop doing what you would normally do and do something else. Of course under normal circumstances, what you do during a sabbatical is dependent on if you are paid or not. Based on a quick internet search a paid sabbatical allows you to study or to pursue a new idea you can bring back to your job. Conversely an unpaid sabbatical allows you to volunteer or do something else and then (hopefully) get your job back afterwards. Early on I struggled with how not to waste my time while obeying the stay-at-home order. Now I realize that this is a great time to think and to plan changes I can make once the order is lifted. This is a great time to take a paid sabbatical, even if it is a forced sabbatical.

I've followed the same routine for decades. Having started straight out of college, I am one of those rare birds who has worked for the same company for a long time. I have gotten up at the same time, left the house at the same time and caught the same train every morning. While I have changed positions within the company, for the last several years my work routine has been the same. Now, like many of you, I find myself forced out of my routine. I also find myself wondering how I can do a better job once I go back. Is it time to further shake up my daily routine?

As I ponder changes to my day job work routine, I find that other parts of my life also need a shake up. I can be better: a better husband, father, homeowner and a better writer. There is a silver lining to my stay-at-home cloud. Through it I have the time to think and as a result I see my path in a different light. I see changes I can make that will lead to something different and better after this pandemic runs its course. I see that I needed this unplanned sabbatical because I needed time to think about change.

Remember to Call Upon the Lord, He Cares

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In my last post I described how God has blessed my family during the pandemic and how He is keeping both His general promise to provide as well as a more specific promise He has given to me. But the last month and a half has not been all peaches-n-cream. (Haven't heard that one in a while.) We lost a family member who contracted COVID-19 while living in a nursing home. Another family with whom we've been close also lost a person to COVID-19. With family and friends working in healthcare, we live with a constant threat of seeing others catch the disease and that's just the start of the stresses we have faced.

Some of those stresses have been both a bother and at the same time humorous. Before now I never had to try to plan when we would need to order paper towels or toilet paper. A miscalculation there could lead to days of...discomfort. But what I see on the news and in my region are no laughing matter. In both I see high unemployment. I see neighbors who are worried about paying for food. I hear and read reports of people who are afraid that they will not be able to pay their rent or their mortgage. I see people, real people, who are suffering as the coronavirus tries to destroy our land.

For the record I do not believe this pandemic is a punishment from God. Jesus bore our punishment on the cross, giving His life for the world (John 3:16). Based on these facts I believe this illness to be one of those unfortunate things that happens in a fallen world. I do believe that God is available to us all, ready to heal and to give hope. He is ready to join us in our struggles, to guide us forward in dealing with life. He empowers those who call upon Him, meeting needs both supernaturally and naturally through His church. We need only call upon His name.

Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time,

casting all your cares upon Him, for He cares for you.

1 Peter 5:6-7 (NKJV)

Christians are not immune to suffering and this pandemic has something for everyone. We can try to deal with our troubles on our own but this is the path to failure. This is a time when we need to call upon our Lord knowing that He cares. He cares about your finances. He cares that you feel alone and/or overwhelmed. He cares about your physical health. Whatever it is, He cares. Don't suffer alone. Reach out to God and to His church through whom He works.

Stay At Home Orders and God's Blessings

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It has been a strange and uncomfortable month and a half. I'm one who likes to plan and to know where my next several steps will go. But as any follower of Jesus can tell you, this is not how God works in our lives and the current pandemic amplifies how much I am not in control. As I write this there is no sign of when things will open up where I live. And then there are the real causes of stress. From dealing with the death of a family member who contracted COVID-19 to the stress of knowing a number of people who work in healthcare, there are plenty of things in my world right now trying to get me down. Where can I find peace and stability? I find it in my relationship with God.

"And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus."

Philippians 4:19 (NKJV)

We are fortunate in that both my wife and I are still receiving paychecks. My wife works in healthcare, essential to our current crisis. My employer is doing its best to keep staff members employed until we can get back into the building. We are blessed to still have jobs when so many have lost their livelihoods. Something like 30 million people have filed for unemployment in the United States. I suspect that number will go up and I pray for those who are struggling to make ends meet.

In my 30+ years of following Christ I have seen God keep the promise of Philippians 4:19. I've lived through times when we weren't sure how we would make it financially. In those times God has found a way. Sometimes He provided by sending unexpected money: a gift or a bonus that arrived just as we needed. We've also had times when the same amount of money seemed to cover more than it did the month before. I have seen God provide and it is a blessing to know that He will do so no matter what happens tomorrow.

Not only has He provided, He has blessed. Right as the stay at home order kicked in for our area the television in our family room broke. God provided for a new one with more features and a larger screen than the old. I guess we could debate if that's a need or a blessing. With two teenage boys, I say it's both. We were able to pay cash and still buy my wife what she wanted for her birthday, again paying cash. I thank God for both blessings as well as for the blessing that is my wife.

Philippians 4:19 is a promise and a blessing given to all believers. Alongside of it I have a more personal promise that is a blessing during this time. Years ago God promised that I will not lose my day job and will not leave until it is time to start my next career. Based on His promise I can relax knowing this pandemic will not cost me my job unless it is time for something new. Knowing that God has a plan is one of the greatest blessings anyone can have and a great comfort during this unusual time.

How has God blessed you as He guides us during this pandemic?

The Chase

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I recently watched the season finale of Chasing Classic Cars on Motor Trend Network. This reality show stars Wayne Carini, owner of F40 Motorsports in Connecticut, who buys and restores classic cars. The show follows the process as he visits homes and barns in search of cars that might turn a profit. In the finale Carini spoke of how nine out of every ten leads he receives wind up without him purchasing a car. I tried to wrap my head around a 90% failure rate. Beyond the financial considerations, what makes that one out of ten worth the chase? This must be an example of someone pursuing their passion and a great example for others learning to do the same.

The connection between career and passion has long been a tough thing for me to wrap my head around, as one of my symptoms of growing up in a codependent household is a view of work that is very limiting. I was told growing up that work was all about the paycheck and that I should find something to do that is legal and that makes a lot of money. Passion and loving what I am doing were not part of the equation.

Even as I saw it in the work lives of others, I remained convinced that passion was something a man and a woman had for each other. Passion for work didn't add up until a friend of mine told me the difference between a job and a career. By his definition a job was something you do just for a paycheck, whereas a career is something you build because you want to build. I thought the difference was whether you are hourly instead of salaried. My friend opened my eyes in a way that allowed passion and love to finally become part of the career conversation.

I'm now learning to bring passion into my work, although sometimes it still seems like a foreign concept. When I heard Wayne Carini make that 9 out of 10 comment, a light bulb came on. What I've seen over several seasons of Chasing Classic Cars is passion and I started thinking about the things that I would be willing to do even with a 90% failure rate. Writing immediately came to mind. For now I still have my day job which I am thankful for especially as I see so many losing their jobs during this pandemic. As working from home gives me a chance to really examine what I do on the day job, I am also looking forward to my own chase. I am looking forward to doing something I can be passionate about. Now, where's my pen?

It Was All Voluntary, Speaking of the Cross

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I try to have two quiet times per day, meditating on the Bible and spending time one on one with God. As we head into Easter, I am sharing my thoughts from a recent quiet time.

And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit.

Matthew 27:50

I find it interesting that Jesus “yielded up His spirit.” He didn’t simply die. His life was not taken from Him. He yielded. John 10:18 indicates that Jesus had the power to continue living. He likely could have endured the cross and survived, doing exactly what those who taunted Him asked. Instead He yielded. This shows both His power and His resolve. This also shows His love. I pray for the capacity to love like this.

Jesus is so powerful that the cross could not kill Him without Him yielding His own life.

I read this now and think about what kind of person He is. I also think about what kind of person I am. In Christ I’ve been empowered. What am I doing with that power? Jesus was determined to carry out His mission. Am I?

God's Second Goal: Testing Our Hearts

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I think it is safe to say that God's number one goal is the salvation of mankind. Achieving this goal is so important that God sent His only begotten Son (John 3:16) who died on the cross in order to achieve His plan. Every true follower of God represents Christ's success in fulfilling the will of the Lord. But once we are "saved," what is God's goal in our lives? What does He want to achieve when it comes to His children? I believe that once we are saved, God pursues the goal of testing our hearts in order to prepare us for heaven and that we might fully enjoy an intimate relationship with Him.

"The refining pot is for silver

and the furnace for gold,

But the LORD tests the hearts."

Proverbs 17:3 (NKJV)

For many of us the idea of being tested brings memories of school and perhaps even of filling in circles using number two pencils. But I don't think this is the type of test spoken of in this verse. Even if it is the same kind of test, I suspect It's not graded in the same way as an English or math test. Our normal definition of "testing" does not fit the context of the rest of the verse. From this context we catch a glimpse of God's goal during the day to day ups and downs of life as we compare our trials with what happens in the refining pot and in the furnace.

The refining pot serves one basic purpose: to purify a metal. It is used to melt the metal so that impurities can be removed. A gold furnace is also used to purify metal. It follows that the context of this verse is purification and the testing mentioned is the refining of the heart. It also follows that like the refining pot, testing involves an intense and sometimes unpleasant environment. But the goal is not to make you suffer or to harm you in any way. The goal is to purify the heart and to make us more like our Lord.

If you're alive there is a good chance you'll experience trials and hardships from time to time. In fact, with the world in the midst of a pandemic you may be experiencing some level of angst as you read this. While I don't believe God brings us trials, I do believe He allows them and works them for our good (Romans 8:28). He also uses them to test (to purify) our hearts, preparing us so that we are prepared for life ahead. Testing may be unpleasant. Just keep in mind that God is accomplishing His goal in you. He is changing your heart in order to align your’s with His. He is in the process of preparing you for a better future. Keep this in mind as you endure whatever falls onto your path.

God Wants to Hear From You: Pray Without Ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17)

I've heard this verse interpreted in a number of different ways. I've even heard debates over whether or not it is even possible. My own thoughts about this verse have changed over the years as I find it a hard concept to comprehend. How could God expect us to pray without ceasing with so many other things we need to do? And yet the verse is there in the Bible. It seems to me that if God wants us to pray without ceasing it means that He wants to hear from us without at all times, and that’s good.

Imagine that! You're so important to God that He wants to hear from you without ceasing, an endless conversation with your Creator. This isn't an invitation to stop in once a day (or once a week) for a chat nor is it a call to only lift up our cares. It's a reminder that our omnipresent God is always nearby and always available to listen to our concerns. He really wants to hear from you. So He asks that you pray without ceasing.

How will you respond? The “Alpha and Omega” is waiting right now with a listening ear. He'd like to hear from you. Will He?

Random Thoughts: A New Normal

Have you adjusted to, "Our new normal"? From time to time over the last couple of weeks I've heard people call our international response to COVID-19 our new normal. Each time I hear it I wonder how something so temporary qualifies as normal and being ordered to stay home is anything but normal (fun but not normal). Besides, it's just a matter of time before we all return to our old normal.

Last week Philly's mayor asked businesses to allow employees to work from home. I had already asked for the week off in hopes of resting and watching March Madness. But as you know there is no March Madness this year and I wound up having to check my work email during my break in order to keep up with the changes while we work from home. Still, I had a full week before having to adjust and once my vacation was over I planned for my first week of staying home.

In a way this is a preview of a hoped for future. Between now and the point at which I reach retirement age I hope to be able to work from home. This "New normal" teases that possibility. And although my current schedule is a mix of answering questions for my day job mixed with additional questions from my son's homework, I must say that working from home is quite appealing even when having it forced upon me.

I am gaining a new perspective, encouraged to do more to shape my future. Who knows how much longer I will have to work from home but already this has been a blessing as I enjoy this cloud's silver lining. Have you found a silver lining in your situation? The Bible tells us that God works all for our good (Romans 8:28). These are difficult times but God's nature remains true. He is at work in your situation. Seek Him. Then kickback with some popcorn and watch Him work.

The Humiliation of Jesus Christ

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I suspect there is no place on earth where spitting on someone is an acceptable custom. In fact spitting on someone is a sure fire way to show that you don't respect a person and in many cases that person might respond with violence. So when the soldiers spit on Jesus they weren't doing so as an act of worship. They wanted to let the man know that they were in control and that they could do whatever they wanted. What they wanted was to bring this "King" down a few notches. Spitting was their way of humiliating One who just a few days earlier claimed to be the Son of God.

The Bible tells us that after Pontius Pilate delivered Jesus to be crucified, soldiers took Him into the Praetorium where an entire garrison gathered around Him (Matthew 27:26-27, Mark 15:15-16). The Praetorium served both as the home and judgment seat of a Roman governor, in this case Pilate who was serving as the prefect of Judea. In researching the Praetorium I found myself thinking about what this represented during Jesus' trial. God incarnate, the King of Kings and the LORD of all standing before Pilate in the man made Praetorium. The One who judges all standing before a man and judged under Roman law: His case heard in a building made by human hands. And although Jesus was found not guilty, He would be sentenced to death and taken prisoner by a garrison of Roman troops.

This garrison of troops was likely the one assigned to protect Pilate and the Praetorium. Based on information from several different sources a garrison would have been just under 500 soldiers, implying that the group that gathered around Jesus in the Praetorium was quite large. Unlike the five or ten soldiers often depicted in movies, hundreds of soldiers came to mock this man from Galilee as implied when scripture says the "whole” garrison gathered around Him.

The garrison stripped Him, according to Matthew 27:28. Reading this gave me flashbacks to highschool swimming class. I avoided having to change clothes during gym class by wearing my shorts under my pants. This didn't work when we had to take a semester of swimming. I had no choice but to drop trousers in a locker room full of teenage boys, all of whom trying to keep their eyes focused straight ahead into our assigned lockers. It was unnerving. The occasional taunt or practical joke might have built character but at the time were just downright painful. Jesus was stripped by and in front of a large group of soldiers. I can only think of one word: embarrassing. At least Adam and Eve got to wear fig leaves.

The soldiers then dressed Him in a scarlet robe. Their choice is interesting, as scarlet is also the color of blood and of the stain of our sin which Jesus bore on the cross (Isaiah 1:18). But the soldiers were not thinking of sin when they put the robe on Jesus nor did they care about the burden He would bear when they put upon his head a crown of thorns. His was not a scepter of power but a reed of shame placed in His right hand as they bowed and made fun. They mockingly called Him king. They then spat on Him and hit him in the head with His reed/scepter before once again stripping Him in front of them all.

Jesus made it clear that He could call 12 legions of angels to save Him from this path (Matthew 26:53-54). So why didn't He? Why endure such humiliation when in a snap He could have single handedly turned the tables on each and everyone of those soldiers? I'm not always comfortable with the answer to that question because it involves a love that is deeper than I can even begin to fathom: God's love for you and for me.

My studies of what it means to observe lent have led me to look at the meaning behind Ash Wednesday and Baptism. I also looked at fasting and Jesus’ time in the wilderness. Along with these aspects of the faith, it’s important to think about the abuse Jesu endured at the hands of the soldiers and how humiliating this situation had to have been. He endured being spat on as part of the path necessary for our salvation. It should have been you and me standing before those soldiers. Instead it was our Lord. Keep that in mind as you meditate and consider your relationship with our LORD.