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Monday, March 18th, 2024
Have you ever had a song stuck in your head that just won’t go away? That has been me the past week to two weeks.
First, a little backstory. For over 30 years I have had a friendship that started out with riding bikes together at least once a week. Over the 30+ years countless miles have gone under our bicycle tires and plenty of meals have been eaten. Not even distance could put a damper on our friendship. His prostate cancer changed all that.
Another man was one of the leaders in the church. When I was threatened and encouraged with termination he stood in front of me. When the church was embezzled, he stood strong. But diabetes and a downturn physically hit him hard. So did some lies that caused a rift between us. But being bed-bound gave me the opportunity to visit him almost weekly, take communion, and repair the tear in our relationship.
My cyclist friend has been told he has 3-6 months to live. That was over a month ago. His cancer is everywhere, in spite of every effort with chemo and experimental stuff. When Jo and I got back from AZ on the 27th I went to visit my former leader on Thursday at the rehab center. He died that Saturday. The following week I went to visit my cycling friend and that visit hit me hard. There are also some other daily issues that are weighing on me.
The song that has been my go-to, the one that has not left my mind, my bulwark, the one that has pointed me to the ONE has been Morning by Morning by Pat Barrett. You can listen to it here. With lyrics like “Morning by morning great is your faithfulness to me,” I am reminded I’m not in this alone. Psalm 62:6-7 says, “He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will not be shaken. My victory and honor comes from God alone. He is my refuge, a rock where no enemy can reach me.” Psalm 63 follows it up with the following: “Because you are my helper, I sing for joy in the shadow of your wings. I cling to you; your strong right hand holds me securely.” (verse 7-8).
I’m not alone. Neither are you. You can put a nail through that promise.
{Note: All Scripture is from the New Living Translation}
Posted in InTheShadow | 6 Responses »
Tags: Christian Living, Faith/Feelings, God, God's promise, Mercy, Opinion, Reflection, Scripture look, Story, Surrender
Thursday, March 14th, 2024
Fear. Say the word and our minds tend to go immediately to something…well…we are afraid of. We go to that movie that scared the heebie jeebies out of us. Or we think of an event that truly scared us and we have never been the same.
I used to watch scary movies until…until I was scared spitless. I cannot remember how old I was-maybe 14 or 15- when I went to a matinee with a friend. After the first two movies he had to leave but I decided to stay. Bad move. When it was over I was terrified. The two moves were The Curse of Dracula and The Horror of Frankenstein. I rode the bus home that night and was constantly looking around and over my shoulder for someone sneaking up on me. When I got home I would not open a door without first reaching around the corner and slapping the wall…just in case someone was lying in wait. That was the end of my watching horror films and I have not seen another one to this day.
Fear is seen in terror or even paralyzing actions. But in Proverbs 14:27 we find it used another way: “Fear of the Lord is a life-giving fountain…” The fear of the Lord is not a terror or being afraid of some one or some thing, especially God. Fear of the Lord can better be seen as a healthy respect for Him. Being in awe and reverence. In Proverbs 1:7 we are told “Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true knowledge.” We are told elsewhere that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.
So when someone says, “Fear God” they are not telling you to be afraid of Him. They are saying to have a healthy respect for Him, to reverence Him, to stand in awe of Him. Do you have a healthy respect for God?
{Note: All Scripture is from the New Living Translation}
Posted in InTheShadow | 6 Responses »
Tags: Christian Living, Fear of God, God, Humility, Opinion, Reflection, Reverence, Scripture look, Story
Tuesday, March 12th, 2024
Forgiving ourselves is one of the hardest hurdles we have to need to get over.
When it comes to forgiving others, I have often shared that the failure to forgive others; the desire to hold a grudge; the unwillingness to move on; holding onto hard feelings or even feelings of hate, makes me a slave to that person. They own me. They control me.
But what about that which I consider possibly even harder-the ability or willingness to forgive ourselves? I have seen way too many people able to forgive others, but then wreck their own lives because they can’t or won’t forgive themselves. Big or little sin (usually a whopper) just will not let go. It’s like an albatross around the neck, choking the life out of us.
David’s psalm-known as Psalm 51-deals with this straight on. His adulterous affair with Bathsheba and subsequent murder of her husband, Uriah, to cover it up, is exposed by the prophet Nathan (full story in 2 Samuel 11). David is convicted of his sin and his guilt is palpable. One can feel his anguish as he lays it all out. “Have mercy. Wash me clean. Purify me from my sins, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. Forgive me for shedding blood.” One can not read those words and not sense David’s pain and agony over his sin. But one can also see David is moving on. He wasn’t going to allow his sin to define him, to hold him down.
Neither should I. Neither should you. There is nothing you or I have done, there is no sin you or I have committed, that is beyond the reach of God’s grace. Confess it. Repent of it. Now…walk away in freedom being sure of God’s limitless grace.
Posted in InTheShadow | 8 Responses »
Tags: Choices, Christian Living, Forgiveness, Forgiving Self, God, Grace, Lifestyle, Mercy, Opinion, Reflection, Scripture look, Sin, Story
Monday, March 11th, 2024
You made the promise. Keep it!!
One cannot underestimate the importance of keeping a promise. Keeping your word-being a person of integrity- is so vital to relationships that one cannot fathom its impact.
In the life of David, there is a phenomenal story that shows his character. He had a best friend-Jonathan-who had David promise he would take care of his family after his death. In all the shuffle involving David becoming king (he waited 7 years after King Saul’s death), there came a time when David remembered his promise to Jonathan. As he asked and they investigated, David was made aware of Jonathan’s son, Mephibosheth (M). M had been dropped as a child in his nurse’s haste to get him to safety, resulting in him being a cripple. He was called into King David’s presence and bowed before him. I’m sure he was petrified. “What does the king want with me?” David told him, “Don’t be afraid! I intend to show kindness to you because of my promise to your father, Jonathan.” David ended up restoring all the land of King Saul to M; enlisted his servant, Ziba (and his sons), who had been with M for quite a long time, to take care of the land; AND M was to eat at King David’s table as long as he lived. (You can read the whole story in 2 Samuel 9).
WOW! Talk about a promise made and a promise kept! Proverbs 11:20 says, “The Lord detests people with crooked hearts, but He delights in those with integrity.” For all of David’s faults (and ours as well), David’s heart was one of integrity. He made a promise and kept it. M’s life was richer because of it.
Follow the Father’s example. Keep your promises. He showed us the way in that department. He has made promises and has kept His every word. I can think of one huge one. One word: Jesus.
Posted in InTheShadow | 6 Responses »
Tags: Christian Living, God, Honesty, Integrity, Jesus, Kindness, Leadership, Lifestyle, Ministry, Opinion, Promises, Reflection, Scripture look, Story
Wednesday, March 6th, 2024
The last two posts I have written about Saul and his failure to be a leader, specifically the leader God needed him to be to lead His people. In yesterday’s post, I introduced his successor, not overtly, but by Samuel’s realization that looks don’t tell the whole story.
When we next see David it is in I Samuel 17 in the familiar story of David and Goliath. David is introduced to us not as the the next king but as the youngest (v.14), a shepherd (v.15), and a messenger to the battlefield-not a soldier (vv.17-22). He is a delivery boy taking food to his brothers who are supposed to be fighting. But, like all the others-King Saul included-they are cowering in fear. When David finds out he is indignant! He couldn’t believe this uncircumcised Philistine was defying God….and allowed to do it!
Long story short, he accepts the king’s challenge to fight Goliath. His concern was for God’s honor not his own safety. His confidence was not in the king’s armor (a rather humorous scenario when you really think about it. A little boy wearing the king’s armor in verses 38-40). Nor was it really in the fact that he had killed a lion and a bear with a slingshot to protect his sheep. His confidence was in the ONE who had kept him safe from them! (v.37). His confidence wasn’t even in his ability as a marksman.
He states it very plainly to Goliath: “You come to me with sword, spear, and javelin, but I come you in the name of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies-the God of the armies of Israel, who you have defied. Today the Lord will conquer you, and I will kill you and cut off your heard…And everyone assembled here will know that the Lord rescues his people, but not with sword and spear. This is the Lord’s battle, and he will give you to us!” (verses45-47). Laugh away Goliath. You have no clue what is about to enter your mind. Four events happen in succession: Sling a stone. Hit target. Target falls. Target loses head.
This is not about goliaths we face. This story is really about the honor and power of God. His honor is not to be trifled with; His power is on display. We are weak; He is strong.
Note: Scripture used is from the New Living Translation
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Tags: Christian Living, God, God's Honor, God's Power, Leadership, Opinion, Reflection, Scripture look, Story
Tuesday, March 5th, 2024
“Looks can be deceiving.”
Who of us has not heard or even used that phrase (or some form of it)? I think we all understand the implications of that statement. When I was young, a group called the Temptations came out with a song called “Beauty’s Only Skin Deep” in which they applauded the beauty of his girl that was within.
When Saul was chosen to become king twice we are told about his physical stature. In I Samuel 9:2 and 10:23 we are told that “He was head and shoulders taller than anyone else.” That’s all well and good EXCEPT it didn’t translate to be being a better leader, or a better anything for that matter.
Take the opposite approach. In I Samuel 16 Samuel is told to anoint a new king after the double failure of Saul and his lack of fitness to be king. (See I Samuel 13 and 15 or look here). Samuel goes into the house of Jesse and his first son, Eliab, comes out. One look convinced Samuel he was the one, but God said, “Nope.” Seven sons later; seven “nopes”. There was one left-David-considered the runt of the litter. He was the youngest (the word could also mean “smallest”) and he was a shepherd (the lowest of the low). Jesse brought David before Samuel and the rest, as they say, is history.
Samuel learned early on when he thought Eliab was “the one” that God operated on a different playing field than man. A somewhat famous and well-used verse of Scripture says, “Don’t judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” (I Samuel 16:7) NLT
And there it is: looks can be deceiving. Instead of judging someone by looks, look into their heart. See who they are inside, who they really are. Don’t shut someone out just because they may appear different from you or what you expect-finer clothes, worse clothes, wild hair, every hair in place, etc. Get to see and know the person on the inside. They may be a wolf in sheep’s clothing for all you know. It is important to see that person as one who matters to God. As the Temptations reminded us “Beauty’s only skin deep, yeah, yeah, yeah.”
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Tags: Christian Living, Condemnation, God, Judging, Leadership, Ministry, Opinion, Reflection, Scripture look, Story
Wednesday, February 28th, 2024
We are back! After a 7-day excursion to Gilbert, Phoenix, Sedona, Scottsdale, and the Grand Canyon, we arrived safely home last night…a 1/2 hour early and ahead of the storm (that didn’t come until around 2:00 a.m.). I suspect you may be expecting a “book” from me about all the stops and shopping and sights…but words fail me. Surprise! Surprise!
Thanks to the graciousness of a friend and his very longsuffering wife, 🙂 Jo and I had the vacation many people dream of. Having the freedom of a car at our disposal allowed us the ability to just come and go. I had a chance on Thursday to meet a long time blogging friend, Floyd, in Scottsdale where Jo and I were treated to lunch (against my protests). We had some of the best pulled pork I have ever tasted, as well as some of the best BBQ sauce, along with the added enjoyment of meeting Dave and Susan’s family and extended family. We spent two nights in Sedona where the stories of the vortex and the center of the hippie/New Age Movement was/is focused. I stayed away from the psychics, etc. 🙂 We took a 5 hour round trip to the Grand Canyon where I felt like I was going to be blown away by a very chilly 20 mph wind and with the grandeur of God’s creation on display. The only words I could think of were “The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display His craftsmanship.” (Ps.19:1) “When I look at the night and see the work of Your fingers-the moon and stars you set in place-what are mere mortals that you should think about them, human beings that you should care for them?” (Ps. 8:3-4) But it wasn’t just the Grand Canyon! Camelback Mountain. “Snoopy Rock.” Tea Pot Rock. Red Rock City. So much more.
You know what I’m praying? That the wonder doesn’t go away. May I be ever mindful of the wonder of God’s creation, the joy of new things, and the value of friendships that will last well into eternity, even when separated by thousands of miles in distance.
Thank you Dave and Susan for the gift of your friendship and the once in a lifetime trip. And “Thank You, Father, for the incredible display of your creative genius.”
{Note: All Scripture from the New Living Translation}
Posted in InTheShadow | 8 Responses »
Tags: Awe, Friendship, Generosity, God, God's Creation, Grand Canyon, Miscellaneous, Opinion, Reflection, Story, Wonder, Worship
Tuesday, February 20th, 2024
In our day and age never has the pull to be overly committed been stronger. I think we would all agree that those things/devices which were supposed to make our lives simpler, easier and less complicated have done the exact opposite. That phone, for example, which went from a landline to a huge car phone in the middle console to an “attached-at-the-hip” thing, has made life difficult. We can’t seem to get away, to find quiet, or to relax.
Tragically, one of the fallouts to that lifestyle is a tendency to forget God is always present. I was recently reading a devotion focused on Joshua’s final words to the people of Israel in Joshua 23. In his speech, Joshua’s words in 24:15 become the focal point: “Choose today whom you will serve…but as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord.” (NLT)
To only focus on that verse does a great disservice to chapter 23, the early part of his final words?sermon. The devotion focused on 23:6-11 and made four observations on how to maintain our devotion to the Lord. I’ll give them to you with my short commentary:
- Give attention to God’s Word (v.6). Fill your mind and heart with Scripture. Don’t allow your time with Him to read and grow to become lax.
- Avoid pagan influence (v.7). Maybe we need to strongly consider what we watch, what we read, what we listen to, or even hang around and see if it a wrong influence.
- Attach yourself to God (v.8). I wonder what would happen if we attached ourselves to God like we have attached ourselves to our phone?
- Cultivate a deep affection for God in every way (verses 9-11). Develop an intimacy with God that grows deeper over time.
I leave you with those thoughts. Jo and I-thanks to the graciousness of a friend-will be leaving today for a week’s vacation to Arizona. We will be back, Lord willing, next Tuesday, the 27th. I hope to post on the 28th (providing jet lag don’t kill me!) 🙂 Prayers for our safety to and from (we are flying) and while there (we will be doing some driving) would be much appreciated. I need some rest and relaxation and this will have to do the trick for now. I do not have Feedly on my phone so I probably will be absent from any blog I normally read and comment on.
Posted in InTheShadow | 12 Responses »
Tags: Christian Living, God, God's Word, Imtimacy with God, Listening, Opinion, Reflection, Scripture look, Time with God
Thursday, February 15th, 2024
“Lest we forget…”
I woke up this morning with that phrase running through my mind. “Lest we forget…” It’s not uncommon to hear that spoken at a commemoration service honoring men and women who have served our country. And we never should forget.
In I Corinthians 10 a phrase very similar to that is used not once, but twice. In 10:6 it says, “These things happened as a warning to us…” In verse 11 it says, “These things happened as examples for us. They were written down to warn us who live at the end of the age.”
The gist? Lest we forget.
As a follower of Jesus, I must not forget the lessons learned or to be learned. I need to recall the lessons others learned and shared lest I fall into the same pit they fell into or possibly avoided. Nor should I forget the lessons I have learned from past experiences.
I say all this because of an incident people just won’t let go of. All the “rage” this week has been the Travis Kelce dust-up with his coach, Andy Reid. I didn’t watch the Super Bowl. I could care less if Travis was telling his coach about his latest escapade with his overly-hyped girlfriend. I don’t care if he was telling Coach Reid that he had heartburn from his pregame meal. I. SIMPLY. DON’T. CARE. But since I wasn’t born yesterday nor is my head buried under a rock, I cannot escape hearing or reading about the pundits, especially other overly paid football players. I read an article where several of them said, “If that had been me I would have been…” Then one of them pulled out the race card (Isn’t that getting kind of old?). It is my understanding these players quickly forgot the grace shown to them by the NFL just a few years ago. One was convicted of choking his girlfriend in college and yet…wait for it…he is given a second chance and drafted because he can catch an odd-shaped ball. Did he forget? Obviously.
My point is this: “Lest we forget.” As a Christ-follower we must never forget what we deserved versus what we received. The Israelites were given the examples in I Corinthians 10 (I encourage you to read the first 12 verses for reference and context) so they would not forget. They must not forget the damage and tragedy of sin and disobedience. But they also must not forget the goodness of God.
Good words for me to remember lest I forget.
Posted in InTheShadow | 8 Responses »
Tags: Choices, Christian Living, Examples, Forgiveness, God, Grace, Humility, Ministry, Opinion, Reflection, Scripture look, Second Chance
Wednesday, February 7th, 2024
I’m convinced that one of the hardest things to do is for a person to forgive himself of past sins or discretions. I’m guessing we have all been there-either personally or with a friend or someone we know.
It might go something like this:
- Person: Does God forgive all my sin?
- You: Yes. I firmly believe He does.
- P: I’m not too sure about that.
- Y: Why?
- P: I’ve done some really bad things. If I told you everything, you would turn away from me or it would at least curl your insides.
- Y: Try me.
- P: I just couldn’t. You would no longer like me or want to be my friend.
- Y: First, that is not true. Second, what does my reaction have to do with God?
- P: Because He would turn away and say, “That’s too much. I just can’t.”
You can carry that conversation on if you like. I want to stop it and add my thoughts. This conversation or one like it, and the thought of that person, came to mind when I read Psalm 130:3-4 this morning. “Lord, if you kept a record of our sins, who, O Lord, could ever survive? But you offer forgiveness, that we might learn to fear you.” Can it be any clearer? Consider I John 1:9 which says, “But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.”
I relish the truth that God forgives and when He does He forgives totally and completely. No hanging on. No crossing His fingers. It is not only forgiven but also forgotten.
Now…if we can just forgive and remind ourselves of that.
Posted in InTheShadow | 6 Responses »
Tags: Christian Living, Forgiveness, Forgiving Self, God, Opinion, Reflection, Scripture look, Sin