When Lightning Strikes Twice

In 1993 my wife and I were still newlyweds and still getting used to living life together. For my wife this meant getting used to being a football widow every Sunday from September to February. So on January third, with my new mother-in-law in town, I figured it was best for my fledgling marriage if I gave in to my wife’s request and took her and her mother shopping. Full disclosure, shopping is one of my least favorite activities but I decided to be nice figuring I would only miss one NFL playoff game.

We made a few different stops, including one in Strawbridges in nearby Willow Grove Park Mall. For those of you not from Pennsylvania, New York or New Jersey Strawbridges was a department store that evolved from a local store called Strawbridge and Clothier, which was eventually bought by Macy’s. At some point the folks at Macy’s did away with the Strawbridges name but my story takes place back when the mall had both Macy’s and Strawbridges as anchor stores and when department stores still had a wall of televisions in their electronics sections.

On that day it seemed like every television in the store was turned to the game and there was a large group of men watching. Somehow they seemed unusually excited about what was at that point an overtime game, so I decided to stick around to watch how the game ended. Little did I know that I was seeing the end of what was then the greatest comeback in NFL history which ended with a Buffalo field goal in OT. As the ball went through the uprights I decided that from that time forward I would regularly remind my wife that I missed this historic game because she wanted to go shopping. Fortunately she has a good sense of humor and we have both learned to laugh whenever I tell this story.

After this past weekend the laughs are all on me and this will probably be the last time that I ever tell the story of missing the Bills’ comeback win. This weekend I was the one who planned an afternoon shopping trip, even though this was one of the Saturdays when there would be NFL games. Both my son and my wife thought it odd that I would choose shopping over football but I needed to finish my Christmas list. Besides, I figured I would only miss one game and that’s where I made my mistake. 

Somehow, once again, I missed the greatest comeback in NFL history as the Vikings came back from being down by 33 points to beat the Colts in overtime. Yes, somehow lightning did strike twice and it’s finally time for me to put an old story to rest. Now my wife can tell everyone how I made her miss the greatest comeback in NFL history and if you see me shopping during a football game you might want to run to the nearest television.

When the Answer to Prayer is Not What You Expect

Over the last few years I have been praying for a family member who has been dealing with a chronic health issue, praying on and off for deliverance which seemed at times to be unlikely. This year I felt moved to begin praying for overall good health, not just about the issue at hand. I expanded the scope of my prayers, asking for the removal of all obstacles to good health. Little did I know that the biggest obstacle was hidden away: a small area of precancerous cells that would be discovered almost by accident.

I say by accident but the discovery was no accident. I believe God directed the search, leading doctors to find this very small patch of cells before they could become something else. I had been praying without knowing the real need, while thinking that changes in diet and other lifestyle changes would help along with a little divine intervention. The real need was surgery and God put us on the right path, leading us to doctors who (under God’s direction) made the right choices. The cells were found by a doctor who is the only one in the region who performs the procedure that led to the discovery and we know that it was God who took us to this doctor in the first place. Fortunately God sees all and His answer, while unexpected, uncovered a hidden issue and likely prevented a much bigger problem.

I could only see the obvious problem, which is what I was praying about. God saw the problem lying beneath the surface. I was asking for what I thought was the biggest health need but God saw an even bigger need. Seeing what we could not, God intervened  and I am thankful. From this I am reminded that while I think I know what I should pray for, God answers with what He knows we need. That’s the key thing we need to remember when God’s answer to prayer is not what we expect. God’s answer, though different from what we would do, is always what’s best.

Book Review: White Too Long

I struggled to get to page 94 of this book. In fact, I should have quit long before that page but I kept pushing myself to read it even though White Too Long did little to hold my attention. I am not going to finish White Too Long nor can I recommend it to others.

I’m not quite sure who the intended audience is for White Too Long by Robert P. Jones as it seems like one of those books that’s intended to change the hearts of people who likely will not read it. In the book Jones talks about “the legacy of white supremacy in American Christianity,” as stated on the front cover. He shares his own personal experiences growing up in the church, mixed together with historical facts of how the church in America has often missed the mark when it comes to race. But while some of what is written is eye opening, I doubt those who need to see will take the time to read these revelations.

I’ll be honest, I’m not sure what I was looking for in starting this book and have decided it is time to put it down.

Random Thoughts for November 11th, 2022

With this week’s midterm elections completed I thought it might be a good time to bring back something I used to do on occasion which I called Random Thoughts. This week I find myself chuckling at our two main political parties as they each put their own spin on the results. The party that lost ground is touting how successful they are in not losing as much as they thought they would. Meanwhile the party that gained ground is looking for a scapegoat to blame for not gaining as much ground as they thought they would. My spin on the results as well as on the way many of this year’s campaigns were conducted is that the only thing we’ve proven is that some people need to grow up.

I trust that everyone who won did so according to God’s will. This always brings me back to the question of why God allows certain people to serve in government, including people with whom God clearly does not agree. I touched on this back in 2017, asking “Did We Elect A Moses or A Pharaoh.” Even people we wouldn’t dream of putting in office serve the purposes of God. Our duty as Jesus’ followers is to pray for those who serve us in government, whether we agree with them or not.

As a Christian, it’s easy to talk a good game but what happens when life challenges our faith? I talked about this earlier this year in “When Faith Becomes Difficult.” Well, of late a number of things have worked together in my life to make faith become difficult. Several unexpected trials have threatened to trip me up in my Christian walk. Thank God for sending us “another helper,” as Jesus promised in John 14:15-16. This helper reminded me of what I should do during times of trial which boils down to praying and to trusting in the Lord with all of my heart (Proverbs 3:5). I do not understand all that is going on but that’s ok because God understands and is in full control.

Has Marriage Been In Trouble From the Beginning?

It’s a story that all church goers and perhaps most people know. God creates man and woman. Man and woman sin against God by eating from the tree. Man and woman sew fig leaves together and wear clothes for the first time. To be honest, it seems weird that Adam suddenly wanted his wife to put clothes on but I believe this was a sign that things had changed between them. In looking at this change I wonder if this is a sign that marriage has been in trouble from the beginning.

What’s interesting here is that the normal external threats to marriage did not exist yet. Adam and Eve did not have an argument over money or over how to raise the children. Their in-laws were  not an undue influence nor were their neighbors’ lifestyles. Cultural influences were not yet a thing. What led to a change in Adam’s marriage relationship with Eve stems simply from a change in how they were thinking about each other. That change came from the inside, not from the outside, and it’s a change called sin.

In my lifetime I’ve heard the repeated refrain of how a number of external forces are destroying marriage. Don’t get me wrong, I am not trying to downplay those threats as each carries its own danger for the institution. But I believe the greatest threat to marriage comes from the inside, from wrong attitudes between husbands and wives and from those same couples not being good examples for their children. Because of this, I believe the only way the institution survives is if we see more examples of men and women living up to the high calling of our Creator, knowing who they are in Christ while seeing their spouses through the eyes of God. I believe we need Jesus’ followers being the light they were called to be, both as individuals and as husband and wife.

Boy Did I Mess Up: Struggles with Imposter Syndrome

I was way off my game and boy did I mess up. It happened as I was being challenged by an atheist. It came on a day when I was already feeling a little off and was not handling my own negative feelings very well. When the challenge came, I thought I could find a clever way to back away from the challenge. Instead of being clever, I misspoke and came up looking quite silly. By the end of the conversation I could only think of the line from the DC Talk song “What If I Stumble?” I truly missed my step and felt like I made fools of us all. My mistake was a reminder that as a Christian I do not have it all together and as I pointed out in “Are You An Imposter?,” I sometimes suffer from imposter syndrome.

I wish I could say that was the only time recently when I felt like a fake but I’ve even suffered imposter syndrome while at church. This time those feelings were triggered by two kinds of feedback. I was running the sound board at church during a time when we didn’t realize there was a problem with our speakers. I tried to compensate and, well, the end result was microphone feedback during two different services. After each occurrence I received critical feedback from church members, who meant well…I think. In the end I found myself doubting and once again wondering if I am a fake. This was yet another reminder that I do not have it all together.

I’d love to be able to say that when I became a Christian I was ready for everything that I would face. Looking back over my Christian life there have been plenty of times when I did something that resulted in sheer embarrassment and I’ve lost count of the number of times that those embarrassments came while trying to defend the faith. That’s not a reflection of who I am nor (when it involves the faith) is it a sign that what I believe isn’t true. It’s a sign that life often involves striking out. But a strikeout does not mean I’m an imposter. It means that if we take on big challenges, we will, from time to time, fail but that really is okay.

When Faith Becomes Difficult

Have you ever really thought about the size of a mustard seed? Jesus tells us that with faith the size of a mustard seed we can move mountains (Matthew 17:20). He goes on to promise that nothing will be impossible for the person with this mustard seed size faith. So how big is that faith…I mean…seed? I decided to look it up and it seems as if they are 1mm to 3mm in diameter. That’s small and I imagine their size would make them hard to hold onto. Just imagine what would happen if someone slapped your hand. That tiny seed would likely fall out of your hand and get lost on the ground. To be honest there have been times when life slapped my hand, times when I found it difficult to hold onto my mustard seed size faith.

I recently wrote about having the faith to face a bear or a lion or even Goliath: those tough times when life threatens to tear us apart or to crush us under its weight. Those are the times when I find it most difficult to live by faith. It’s easy to talk a big game, that is until real life calls me out and challenges me to back up my words with real actions. It doesn’t help that so often other Christians make it sound so easy. “Just have faith.” “This too shall pass.” “It’s just a season.” Yes, those sayings are true but that doesn’t make it any easier when life puts you in the fiery furnace. And that’s where you and I must choose. We must choose to hold onto our faith by focusing on the object of that faith: Our God.

I believe that God keeps every one of the promises He makes to His children. But quite often the events of life seem as if they are designed to ask if I really do believe. It’s during those trying times when I find that if I have not established trust in God before the storm, my focus will waiver. It’s then that I find myself focusing on the waves instead of on my Lord. So the best thing I can do is to meditate on the Bible, learning those promises before I actually need them. I need to challenge myself to believe even before my faith gets challenged. Does it make life easy? No, but doing so makes me more likely to remember those promises when I need them most. It also makes it easier to hear the voice of the Spirit of God when He reminds me of those promises, as I learn to look for His hand no matter how tall the waves.

When it comes right down to it, faith is not about my ability to hold onto anything. It’s about building a relationship with God where I learn to trust Him to hold onto me. A relationship where I know He is with me and my trust is greater than my doubts. It’s about a change of heart and mind that comes with surrender to God and is forged while I’m down on my knees before, during and after the trial. As I get better at focusing on God, that mustard seed grows into something I can really hold onto as the power of God is released into my life.

The life of faith in Jesus Christ becomes difficult at the moment we need faith the most. Get to know God while the waters are calm. Continue to learn of Him and to focus on Him even when the going gets tough. As you get to know Him, learning His true nature, you’ll find it easier to hold onto faith in Him even when life threatens to slap your mustard seed sized faith out of your hand.

My Least Favorite Commercials

Over the years there have been a number of commercials that...well…bug me. Some bother me because they insult the viewer’s intelligence. Others are bothersome because of an annoying jingle or claims that have nothing to do with why anyone would buy the product. Then there are those commercials that I think are just dumb or unrealistic. The worst commercials are those that seem to be trying to make a statement about society as opposed to selling a product. These types of commercials often portray men in a way that is unrealistic or in a way that is just an outright putdown. My two least favorite commercials airing on tv this year fall into that last category.

The first commercial (actually a series of commercials) is for a certain brand of personal grooming products. These commercials tell us that the products work so well the women in your life will steal them from you. That’s not hard to understand. What bothers me is the fact that the women in the commercial seem…well…tougher than the man. Now, I don’t understand why a woman would want to smell like her husband (if there is a good reason I don’t want to know). I definitely don’t know why a mother would want to smell like her son in law. And as a man, my biggest complaint wouldn’t be that I want to keep the products to myself. I wouldn’t want my wife to smell like a man. I’m guessing if the man in the commercials explained that, he would never have to worry about his wife stealing his personal care products ever again.

I wish that was my biggest gripe about this series of commercials but it’s not. My biggest problem with them comes during one specific commercial where, instead of just stating his case, the man involved in these commercials sits there and cries about his wife using his products. I’m all for men being in touch with their feelings but crying because your wife used your shampoo or skin cleanser or whatever other product? That to me is where I cry foul. Truth is, apart from not wanting my wife smelling like me, I wouldn’t care and I suspect most men wouldn’t. (I wonder if most men would notice but that’s a different issue.) There really is no need to cry about it. Seems as if this product turns a man into a wimp or at least that’s what this commercial seems to imply. (Sorry if I’m being insensitive or if I’m not being politically correct.)

My second least favorite commercial is for a fast food company. During the commercial the dad realizes that he forgot to buy dinner. Just in the nick of time, his wife comes in with food as she seemed to assume he would forget to get it. Here’s my question. How many men would forget dinner? Granted, a dad might put together some really odd combination for dinner but forgetting it all together? I doubt it. This fits into the category of unrealistic characterization.

Now before you tell me to get a sense of humor, let me point out that this is written somewhat tongue in cheek. To be honest, I ignore most commercials. In fact, I often channel surf during the breaks. But every now and then I do watch a commercial and often come away thinking that the creators didn’t think that one through. There are some clever commercials out there but a small few just kind of rub me the wrong way. So be honest. Which commercials are your least favorite?

What took more faith? Facing A Bear, A Lion or Goliath?

I’m guessing most of you have heard the story of David and Goliath, where a young farm boy takes down a giant veteran soldier armed only with a slingshot (1 Samuel 17). Imagine facing Goliath whose height was well above average for their time (somewhere between 6’9” and 11’ depending on which “expert” you choose to listen to). His coat of mail weighed 125lbs and the total weight of all of his armor and weapons is around 200lbs. He was battle tested and we know he was scary as none of the soldiers of Israel wanted to face him. Goliath was a big bad dude and I imagine it took quite a bit of faith in God for David to face him. But did it take as much faith as it did for David to face a lion or a bear?

Think about it. Goliath was third in line as by that point David had already faced at least one lion and at least one bear. Would you be willing to walk up to a lion or a bear and tell it to give back your lamb? David snatched the lamb from the predators’ mouths. In both cases the animals responded by rising up to attack. At that point I would have given the lamb back and gone home to change my pants. David grabbed the animals by their chins and killed them. The Bible does not tell us what David used to kill the bear or the lion, but I’m guessing it wasn’t a spear. He struck the animals with something one would use at close range. That’s what I call faith.

Is your faith in God at a level where you can face a lion or a bear or Goliath? Is your faith in God at a level where you can deal with whatever giant and fierce problem you're facing right now? Keep in mind, David did not say God made the bear or the lion or Goliath disappear. He had to face his problems and he did so trusting that God would give him what he needed to win. David testifies that as he was able to face the lion and the bear, he knew God would deliver the Philistine into his hands. Trust in the Lord and know that He will do the same with whatever stands in your way.

Going to Church But is Something (Someone) Missing?

A few years ago I listened to an interview with the pastor of an atheist church. This pastor described a service that sounded very familiar to me, just without references to God and without the use of the name of Jesus. On some level these services met a need and the pastor was proud of how her congregation joined weekly in heart warming fellowship. While I was listening to the interview I had a tough time wrapping my mind around the concept of an atheist church and church services where something…rather someone is missing. But of late I find myself wondering if there are times when I go to church and forget to bring along the One who makes the difference between meaningful worship versus just doing church.

Zechariah 7:1-7 “Should we continue…?”

In Zechariah 7:1-7 we find the people of Israel sending a delegation of men to the house of God to pray and to ask if they should fast. I checked several commentaries and they seem to agree that this took place around the halfway point during the rebuilding of the temple. Things were going well and I guess the people of Israel could see the light at the end of the tunnel that was their 70 year period of exile. With so much going right they were wondering if a time of fasting and mourning was still necessary.

The remnant had developed the habit of fasting and mourning during the fifth and seventh months of the Jewish calendar, marking the anniversaries of the beginning and end of the siege when Nebachadnezzer’s armies showed up at Jerusalem’s doorway. With things looking up, the people sent a delegation to the house of God to find out if they should continue this custom that was more related to the struggles of being in exile as opposed to the success they were finding in rebuilding Jerusalem. In response to their question, God spoke to Zecheriah, giving him a message to deliver to the people of Israel. In short, God chastises the people, saying that when they fasted and prayed they had not been doing so for God. They were doing the right thing but for the wrong reasons and God called them out about this misstep.

Recently, while reading this passage I found myself examining my own heart. I go to church most weeks and often take part in church events during the week. I’ve become good at doing church but am I doing church for the right reasons? Am I doing and saying things just to fit in (or to prove something) or am I responding to the love of God? Is my participation in church activities a result of being God centered or a result of being church centered?

I’ve become good at doing church. But is being good at doing church all that important? After all, what I really need is Christ…period. Yes, church is an important part of my relationship with God and the Bible tells me not to forsake the gathering of the saints. This isn’t about not doing those things as it’s important that God’s children gather to encourage each other, to laugh with each other and at times to cry with each other. The list of reasons for going to church is long but there is a difference between simply doing church and being the church that God has established on earth. That difference is my relationship with Jesus Christ and the presence of His Holy Spirit in my life.

Ultimately, what’s more important? Am I getting good at doing church or am I truly growing in Christ? Which one is most important to you?

Abiding in God’s Love

As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.

John 15:9-10

Christians often talk about how God loves all of us unconditionally. It really doesn’t matter if you believe in Him or not, God still loves you as demonstrated on the cross. As Jesus explained to His disciples,

Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.

John 15:13

Not only did Jesus lay down His life for His friends but He also did so for the ungodly and for all of us who have sinned against God:

For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.

Romans 5:6

But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Romans 5:8

God’s unconditional love is a fact that should be embraced by every believer. Even in those difficult times when we struggle to believe in God’s love, the simple fact is that He does love us unconditionally. We need to remind ourselves that we are loved. We then need to remind others by loving them unconditionally just as God has loved us. This is the example we have in Christ as He describes in John 15:9.

We must also recognize the second part of that verse. Yes, God loves us unconditionally but we must learn to abide in His love. Jesus tells us that if we keep His commandments (if we live in recognition that He is our Lord) we will abide in His love. Does this mean that God’s love IS conditional? No. What Jesus is telling us is that we can move ourselves into a situation where we do not receive the love that God so generously pours out for us all.

Luke 15:11-32 The Parable of the Lost Son

In the parable of the Lost Son Jesus gives us an example of someone who stopped abiding in his father’s love. Jesus describes how the younger of two sons went to his father and asked to receive his part of the family’s wealth. Shortly after receiving what appears to be a generous sum, this son leaves his family and his life behind. Jesus describes how this son went off to a far country where he spent all of his money, most likely living the high life.

The New King James says that he wasted his possessions with prodigal living. The word “prodigal” is an adjective describing wasteful and reckless spending. Other versions of the Bible describe his lifestyle as “riotous” or “wild” or even “foolish.” Today we might say that he was careless or even dumb when it comes to money. Whatever word we use, the point is that he rejected what he had at home in order to do something stupid.

And then there was a famine during which he found himself struggling to find something to eat. It is at that point that he realizes that his father’s servants were eating better than he was. After seeing the truth, he comes to his senses and goes home.

So here’s the question of the day. While the son was off squandering his possessions, did the father stop loving his son? Based on the response we see as the son is walking up the road that leads to the house, I would say that the father never stopped loving his son. The father’s love was not based on the son doing the right thing. His love was not based on anything other than the fact that this was his son, whom he runs out and meets with an embrace. However, while the father continued to love the son, the son cut himself off from this love by the choices he made. I believe this is what Jesus is telling us in John 15:9-10. He loves us unconditionally (and without interruption) but we must choose to abide in His love.

If you are a Christian who has chosen not to abide in God’s love or if you are someone who has not even received God’s free gift of salvation, you are missing out. God loves you but if you choose not to abide in his love you will only find the emptiness that comes when the “fullness” of the life you have chosen runs out, leaving you with an emptiness that will never be filled apart from Jesus.

Yes, God’s love is unconditional and He loves you right now no matter what you have done or are doing. Do you want to abide in God’s love? Do you want to receive His love and to have that emptiness you feel from time to time filled with something that will last forever? Jesus calls you to repentance and instructs that in order to abide in His love you need to keep His commandments.

Is God’s Heart Hurting?

Two mass shooting events in one weekend, one in Buffalo, New York the other in Laguna Woods, California. Each appears to have been motivated by hatred and each was likely premeditated. Now both incidents join a growing list of violent attacks, spaced out enough that they are not yet routine but close enough in time that it could be considered a recurring nightmare. What must this look like from God’s point of view? We know that He is capable of grieving and even weeping over sad and painful situations. Could it be that incidents like the ones this past weekend hurt the heart of God?

I think this is a question that God’s church needs to ask because the answer should dictate how we respond. We teach that the church is Jesus’ hands and feet here on earth. We speak of being God’s ambassadors, here to preach His Gospel and to speak on His behalf. That means that if He has an opinion on mass shootings and on the hate associated with them, we need to know that opinion and speak loudly to let the world know. If God’s heart is hurting due to hate motivated violence, His ambassadors should let the world know exactly where He stands. And if God stands against theories which lead people to travel for miles to shoot other people in a grocery store or in a church, God's church needs to stand with Him speaking out against those theories.

Yes, I know that there are some churches which do speak out when these things happen. There are churches which try to help in these communities and I commend them for their efforts. It just seems to me that the outcry from God’s church should be deafening, letting the world know where our creator stands. I believe that God’s heart is hurting because He is against murder and against hate. I believe Jesus would speak out against racism and against lies and other ideas that foment hate. I believe God has a strong opinion about what happened. His church should find and share His opinion without fear and without getting caught up in politics.

I believe that God’s heart is hurting and it’s time for His church to let the world know.

Will The Church Be A Source of Hope?

Back in 2020 I wrote a post asking “Is The Church Still A Source of Hope?” Today I find myself once again thinking about this question, wondering if the church will be a source of hope if Roe v. Wade is overturned. For the record, this is not a post about the Pro-Life vs. Pro-Choice debate nor will I comment on the leaked Supreme Court Document and its implications. My intention with this post is to get you to think about how you will respond to women in need if abortion is no longer an option in your state. Will you (and your church) be a source of hope?

Since news broke of the leaked document I’ve heard a lot about what women will lose if the court votes as indicated. The picture painted by the Pro-Choice side is that the court is planning to take away a source of hope for women and perhaps in the future more minority groups will lose the hope given them by various court rulings. There seems to be a lot of fear of what might happen and of what the path we seem to be on will mean for our future.

As I pointed out in 2020, God’s church is called to be the salt of the earth. Jesus expects us to touch the community around us, making situations more palatable by showing others the hope that is only available from God. I believe that means rising above political debate in order to help those who are in need. In this case that means helping women see that nine months of pregnancy does not mean the end of life. We must be willing now to roll up our sleeves in order to offer hope and to show that in Christ the future is bright.

Some would say that if the court votes as indicated in the leaked document, the church has won a victory. Will the church respond by being poor winners or will we continue (or perhaps once again become) the source of hope that God intends for us to be?

What Does It Mean to be A Servant of Jesus Christ?

In 1 Corinthians 4:1 the Apostle Paul says that he and his fellow workers should be seen as “...servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.” In fact, I believe all followers of Christ can be described as “servants,” which leads us to an important question. What does it mean to be a servant of Jesus Christ? Recently, while meditating on this question, my mind began to wander, (I admit it. Sometimes during my devotionals my mind wanders. Has that happened to you? Be honest!) and I found myself thinking about Alfred Pennyworth, better known simply as Alfred.

Alfred is, of course, Bruce Wayne’s (Batman’s) butler: a paid servant. Yet, in many ways Alfred is much more than just simply a servant. He is Bruce’s trusted confidant and advisor. He is also one of Bruce’s few and closest friends. Alfred is loyal, doing his best to help and support Bruce even while dealing with the trials that come with working for the Dark Knight. And as we watch (or read about) Alfred the audience embraces this humble servant as an important part of just about every Batman story.

Those who have received the gift of salvation have become servants of Jesus Christ. True, He says that He no longer calls His followers servants (John 15:15) but we cannot ignore this aspect of our relationship with Him, nor should we. Christians are called to be servants and like Alfred we have been entrusted with something very important: what Paul called the mysteries of God. We are invited into a close relationship with our Lord, one that is growing over time as we learn to see Him as He really is. We are to be loyal and to do our best to answer His call in support of the spreading of the Gospel. And like Alfred, we each are important to the story being crafted by our God. In fact, we are so important that Jesus died in order to make us a part of His story.

So what does it mean to be a servant of Jesus Christ? First and foremost it means I am saved by faith in Jesus Christ, having received the free gift of salvation offered by the grace of God. It then means that I try to live up to the high calling, responding as a good servant to the One who saved me. It means we are servants while at the same time enjoying our adoption as sons and daughters of the true and living God. Last, but certainly not least, being a servant of Jesus means I obey because He is Lord AND because I love Him.

Why Is Faith So Tough To Prove?

I once met NFL legend Walter Payton. “Sweetness” was the keynote speaker at a fundraiser and my mom, who worked for the city at the time, was able to get me a seat alongside all of the dignitaries. At the end of the event I got the chance to talk to Mr. Payton and he shook my hand. It’s one of those childhood memories that will always stay with me. But I can’t prove to you that I met Walter Payton. You just have to take my word for it.

I could probably dig up a number of facts about the fundraiser. With the internet I likely could find information including the exact date of the event. Most likely there is a story or two from the local newspaper and they might even carry Mr. Payton’s picture. I doubt they mention me though. I was just a starstruck kid with a well connected mom. Unfortunately any pictures I had with him or any autographs he gave me were destroyed years ago (long story). So the facts that would put Mr. Payton in town on a certain date do nothing to prove that I actually met him.

There’s someone else that I’ve met but would have a tough time proving to anyone that I know Him. In fact I’ve been blessed with a relationship that has lasted well over thirty years. God has revealed Himself to me in many ways over those thirty some odd years, to the point where my faith is built on the word of His testimony as communicated in my heart by His Spirit. Yes, I could probably dig up a bunch of facts and even some archeological findings that prove a number of the events that are recorded in the Bible but that wouldn’t prove that God exists or that I know Him. Yes, I seek truth but at the end of the day my faith is built on the revelation of His glory and His testimony is what substantiates His Bible for me.

Recently I got caught up in a Twitter conversation during which I put on a very poor showing. The other person challenged me to produce facts and then accused me of not wanting to know the truth when I refused to do so. For the record, I refused because I’ve played that game before and found that at the end of the day it’s a losing proposition based on the fact that the argument answers the wrong questions. In reality only two questions matter. Does God exist? Is He who the Bible says He is? I know the answer to both questions but could never prove those answers during the course of an online conversation. To do so I would have to prove that I know God and I can’t do that anymore than I can prove that I met Walter Payton.

Why is faith so tough to prove? It’s tough because it boils down to something that only the Holy Spirit Himself can prove to others. All I can do is live in obedience to the will of God and to what I know to be true. His light, revealed in the testimony of my life, will reveal His existence.

Remaining in the Furnace

Why didn’t Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego immediately run out of the fiery furnace? The king declared that he saw the three of them (plus one extra individual) walking around in the furnace. When the king calls to them they walk out. It doesn’t say they rolled or hopped out still bound in their clothing. They were free to walk about, presumably set free by the one whom the king described by saying, “...the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.” (Daniel 3:25 NKJV) So why did they wait until the king called to them before the three of them walked out of the furnace?

To be honest, I don’t know the answer. Perhaps they were being obedient to the governing authorities. Perhaps they were so in awe of being in the presence of “the Son of God” that they did not want to come out. Maybe it was some combination of reasons. Whatever the reason, by going into and remaining in the fiery furnace, the three served to change the king’s perspective on who was really in control.

Let’s take a step back to look at how these three wound up in this position in the first place and how they had such a profound impact on the government power at hand.

Daniel 3:1-7

This situation started with a decree from King Nebuchadnezzer, ordering the people to do something that was in direct conflict with the Jewish faith. The commandment ordering them to have no other gods before the Lord God was clear and the Jews were not allowed to bow before any idol or to worship any statue or for that matter any person. This was the government keeping Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego from practicing their faith.

Around the world today there are governments that restrict the practice of religious faith, asking people to bow to whatever idol the leaders prefer. In some of those countries the punishment for professing Christ as Lord is as dire as what these three faced. We haven’t reached that point in the United States although there are attempts by some to limit the faith. I suspect that over time these attempts will be more and more successful, forcing Christians to choose between their freedom and their faith.

Daniel 3:8-15

How did Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego respond to the king’s decree? They continued to live according to what they believed which meant only worshiping the LORD. Their enemies testify to the fact that the three did not take the easy path of compromise. They risked everything in order to do what was right. In doing so they set a great example for us to follow today.

Those around us should be able to see our convictions. They should be able to see that we do not bow down to the idols that are popular in the culture around us. The key here is the fact that you never know what people will notice. For example, I’ve had coworkers comment on the fact that I do not swear. I’ve never told anyone that I see no point in resorting to curse words but they’ve noticed. People should be able to see how we change and grow in Christ, along with how our obedience remains consistent no matter the circumstances.

Here I must point something out. Those around you tend to be able to recognize “fake” when they see it. They can also recognize when someone does the right thing with the wrong motives. People know the difference between someone who speaks to them with a loving heart versus someone who simply wants to control the public square. And believe it or not, I think people can tell the difference between someone who is operating in the power of the Holy Spirit versus someone who is acting out of their own self-interests. Above all, God sees all. He knows your heart and can tell the difference between someone who is driven by devotion to Him versus someone driven by their own religious idols, even if they call those idols Christianity.

Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego did not try to pick a fight with the king nor did they show up at the king’s door demanding their rights. They simply lived according to their faith, letting God direct their path: a path that brought them face to face with the king.

Daniel 3:16-18

When questioned by the king, Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego testified to the power of God. They didn’t tell the king how evil and sinful he was. This would have made the king the focus (which is what he wanted anyway) and he would have missed the true message: There is only one God. They also did not try to defend themselves nor did they claim the right to defy the king. This would have turned the focus on themselves. Instead they spoke about God, pointing to His ability to deliver them. Their focus remained right where it belonged: on God. They end the conversation with a statement of their true allegiance. No matter what, they would not sin against their God.

Daniel 3:19-25

The punishment for failing to do what was culturally acceptable was death by fire. But Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego did not face their punishment alone. Someone joined them in the fiery furnace, someone the king described as being of a higher power. I think it’s safe to say they were abiding under the shadow of the Almighty. As we serve our Lord we do not walk alone. God has promised that He will never leave His children nor will He forsake them (Hebrews 13:5). No matter how hot the fire, remember who stands beside you.

Not only was God with them but it appears that He untied them. Going into the furnace they were bound in their own clothing. Yet, when the king looks in he sees them walking freely in the furnace. This brings me back to the question I started with. Why didn’t they walk out before the king called them out? Again, I do not know the answer for sure. It just seems to me that wherever God is, even if it’s in the midst of a fire, it’s best to be with Him.

Daniel 3:26-30

As King Nebuchadnezer ordered Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego to come out of the furnace, he had a spiritual epiphany. I don’t know if he became a full fledged believer but this was a step in the right direction. What brought him to this point? Was it the words that were spoken in defiance of his law? No, it was not. In fact what was said to him made him really angry. What changed him was experiencing the presence and power of God in the lives of those who told him the truth. The process works the same way today. As followers of Christ we should speak the truth. But we must do so knowing that what changes a person’s heart is the presence and power of God in the lives of His children as they stay in the furnace, living their lives according to His will.

Sometimes You Just Need Some Time Off

February was a difficult month for me, a month where I felt like I needed more than 24 hours per day. I was very busy and even accomplished a thing or two, but I just couldn’t get to the tasks that I really wanted to do. In fact, my only accomplishments were ones that had deadlines. Everything else fell by the wayside. I did some writing but only where something was due. With no deadlines, my blog suffered neglect. (Thank you and sorry to those who kept checking in during the last few weeks.) Other than news and magazines, I did not do any real reading and it was hard to relax while watching my to-do list get longer. Unfortunately this is not the first time this has happened but this time around I knew exactly what I needed: time off.

For the record, this “time off” was not like my usual vacation time. I didn’t go anywhere or plan any special activities. I basically set aside a week where, for the most part, I hoped to avoid distractions. This of course meant a week away from the day job’s demands and the requirements that come with the position. This was a week where I could think without being bothered or write without being bothered or read or work on the house or…sit and do nothing…all without distractions. Fortunately, unlike the last couple of years, I have the house to myself (except for the cat) because there are no lockdowns or virtual school or any other reason for someone else to be home. It’s just me, the cat, a smart speaker, my thoughts and God.

Sometimes you just need some time off. I used my time for prayer and for time spent without distraction in order to allow God to bring me back into alignment with His will. I spent the time reminding myself of what is really important to me. My time off was like hitting a big reset button, clearing my mind so that I could think about the path I choose to take. I needed a week to catch my breath and to remind myself to keep breathing. And now I feel ready to live instead of just doing.

Sometimes you just need some time off. Just writing that makes me feel a whole lot better.

Honor MLK By Voting

MLK Day! I remember the battle leading up to 1983 when Congress passed the legislation that made the third Monday of January a federal holiday recognizing the life and contributions of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. You may be surprised to find out that back then I was not 100% on board with the move to make this a holiday. I was young and impressionable, buying into something someone said about Dr. King not wanting a holiday because it would mean a day when young children of color were missing out on their education. I’ve changed my mind since then, recognizing that it’s not about if he would want a holiday. It’s about him deserving a holiday and deserving the recognition and honor he earned as one of the leaders of the civil rights movement.

Since January 20, 1986, the very first MLK national holiday, the third Monday in January has become known in many parts of the country as a day of service. It is a day when communities can come together and when the individual can serve his/her neighbor: a day when we hopefully make our towns a little bit better. I think this is something that would make Dr. King smile. However, after the day of service I believe there is something else each of us needs to do: become an informed voter and then cast your ballot.

When watching the news I keep hearing about laws that have passed and attempts to pass other laws which in one way shape or form are designed to control how we each cast our ballots in future elections. I’m not here to take sides or to judge these various laws. I am here to say get out and vote no matter what. Make up your mind right now that no restriction will keep you from voting. No matter your race or your political leanings, become informed about the candidates and the issues. Then, go out and exercise your Constitutional right. When you do so you will help make this a better nation and you will honor MLK by making sure that his work, when it comes to the right to vote, was not done in vain.

Yes, But Wait

It has been a few months since I received my diabetes diagnosis. Since then I have heard the word “No!” more often than I expected. Quite often I’ve heard it from my family who gently and lovingly remind me that my diet must change. At times it has also come from my church family, all of whom have my best interest at heart. I’ve also heard myself saying it. For example, I’ve had to tell myself “No!” when I feel the urge to eat seven or ten cookies. The most disappointing “No!” came from my health insurance provider who declined a request for a constant glucose monitor. Among the long list of reasons was something about me not demonstrating an understanding of the need to take glucose readings. (Why else would I want a constant glucose monitor?) But there is One who has not said “No.” Instead, He said “Yes, but you have to wait.”

I received this in answer to my first response after receiving my diagnosis. Okay, maybe it was my second response. My first response was asking myself how I could be so stupid. (For the record diabetes has nothing to do with intelligence.) My second response was to ask God for healing. I even wrote about my healing in my post “All Things Work for the Good: Even Diabetes.” I was ready for a quick turn around, looking forward to that day when I could brag about being healed. But then I “heard” God’s answer. It was not anything audible but God found a way to make His answer clear. As I said in the first paragraph, that answer was, “Yes, but you have to wait.”

In the meantime God wants me to learn to trust in Him as He helps me live in victory over the diagnosis. That’s a little different than being completely healed. It’s a recognition that I am a diabetic but I am not a slave to my condition. God’s grace is sufficient and by His grace I have access to His wisdom when it comes to how I should live. By His grace I am still enjoying life, just with fewer calories. In Christ I’ve been empowered to move my A1C from a 14 to under 7 in less than a year.

I still believe God will heal me of diabetes, if not while I am on this earth than later during the eternal life which He has promised me. Until then, God’s grace is sufficient. (2 Corinthians 12:9)

What Do You Love More Than God?

I read the In Touch Devotional, written by Dr. Charles Stanley, just about every morning. It serves to help me focus on God and is a great way to start my day. In his December 23, 2021 devotional, Dr. Stanley (founder of In Touch Ministries) spoke of having an intimate relationship with God. And while it was not the main focus of the devotional, the lesson got me thinking about the things that I allow to come between me and God. I realized that I need to start asking myself a question whenever I am tempted. It is a simple question that brings with it a boat load of conviction. What do I love more than God?

You see, one of the things I am saying when I give into temptation is that I love the thing I am being tempted to do more than I love God. More accurately, I am saying that I love the way I feel when I do that thing or that I love my own wisdom more than I love God. My own actions speak louder than words (especially those words I claim to believe) and my sin speaks volumes. They say that there are areas of my life where I have not fully surrendered to God: Areas where God is not number 1.

Fortunately my salvation is not earned. It is a free gift given to me (and offered to you) by God, paid for on the cross when Jesus died. So, my actions do not earn a ticket to heaven nor can they cost me my future position in Heaven. My actions do, however, affect my current relationship with God, keeping me from fully enjoying my position as His child. I love God and there is nothing more valuable than my relationship with God. I’ll remember to remind myself of that when temptation comes.

What about you? What do you love more than God?