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September 23

Monday, September 23rd, 2024

Let me start out by saying, “What a weekend!” That is not a complaint; I am stating a fact. An outdoor wedding with a rehearsal that held so many moving parts it was way beyond my norm. Did I mention it was an outdoor rehearsal in 90+ degree weather? 🙂

Saturday, the day of the afternoon wedding, was brutal. Friday night brought a rain shower of 10-15 minutes that elevated the “sticky” factor. On Saturday, the sun was bright and poured down on us mercilessly. I went through a towel I kept handy and barely had a dry spot on the clothes on my body. I think even my tie was wet. 🙂 If nothing else, it was from the sweat that poured down from my head to my face and went everywhere. Did I mention it was an outdoor wedding in 90+ degree heat? 🙂

You get the picture. Sweet relief came when the sun went behind the clouds for about 45 minutes of the outdoor reception. But then… Did I mention the reception was outdoors in 90+ degree heat?

Again…I’m sure you get the picture. The bride in her gown. The groom in his dress blues. He never complained until the next day when I heard him say. “I was hot and couldn’t wait to take them off.” Logan and Kathryn have a story to tell of their 3 years of dating. It started when Kathryn’s family decided to go to school in our district, leaving the one they had been in all the way to her Sophomore year. Logan’s inquiry of “Who is that new girl?” led to a friend getting a name and number. The rest is history. Much of their dating has been long-distance since he was two years ahead of her and enlisted in the Marines. They have a story to tell of their courtship and wedding, and now of their life together.

Their marriage is a cord of 3 strands: Logan, Kathryn, and God. They have put Him at the foundation of their relationship from the start and I’m sure He will continue to be. I challenged Logan to lead his family with love. I challenged Kathryn to fill her family with love. And challenged them both to allow Christ to be the foundation of their home and the source of that love. 

Knowing them…I have no doubt they will. They will have more of a story to tell. Their honeymoon will take them through Gatlinburg and surrounding areas and then to Quantico where he is stationed and where they will make their home for the next year and a half. I can’t wait to hear their story!

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September 19

Thursday, September 19th, 2024

A switch of gears today. No commentary. No “human” thoughts. Just allowing Scripture to explain and illustrate Scripture.

Luke 19. Jesus is entering Jerusalem riding on a borrowed donkey. It was a prophecy fulfilled from Zechariah 9:9- “Rejoice, O people of Zion! Shout in triumph, O people of Jerusalem!  Look, your king is coming to you. He is righteous and victorious, yet He is humble, riding on a donkey-riding on a donkey’s colt.”  The people were shouting, “Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!” Meanwhile, the religious leaders were telling Jesus to silence His followers. Jesus replied, “If they keep quiet, the stones along the road would burst out into cheers!” (19:40)

Psalm 98:7-9a. “Let the sea and everything in it shout his praise! Let the earth and all living things join in. Let the rivers clap their hands in glee! Let the hills sing out their songs of joy before the Lord.” Jesus knew what He was talking about. If we don’t praise Him, creation will. This is only one example of Scripture, especially in the Psalms, where we are told creation will break out in praise.

Let’s not allow creation to do the praising. The sunrise. The sunset. The vivid colors. The display of God’s handiwork in the sky. The display of God’s creative ability in the changing leaves and the hues of colors. May we be like those on that first Palm Sunday shouting out our praise to the King of kings and Lord of lords.

{Note: All Scripture from New Living Translation}

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September 18

Wednesday, September 18th, 2024

I read the following story recently. I thought I would share it with you:

In 1942 Davis Ellis was hired as educational director for Allstate Insurance Company. His job was to recruit and train female insurance agents during WWII. In 1950 Ellis’ daughter got sick with hepatitis. One morning as Dave headed out the door for work, the family physician called to let the family know that he was very concerned about JoAnn and that he was calling in a specialist, a Dr. Keyser. That evening when Ellis returned home, his wife, Helen, rushed to him and threw her arms around him. “Dave,” she said, “the specialist has examined JoAnn and Dr. Cummings tells me that JoAnn in in good hands with Dr. Keyser.”

JoAnn recovered, and later that year, Ellis was part of a group working into the night to plan Allstate’s ad program for the coming year. Dave Ellis remembered how his anxiety eased when hearing those words: in good hands. He suggested using it as a slogan, along with an illustration of a pair of hands cradling a car. “You’re in good hands” has been Allstate’s slogan ever since. (found in Saved by Nancy Guthrie-p.127)

Just so you know, this is not a commercial for Allstate. My insurance company has been a “Good Neighbor” for close to 50 years.  🙂

But here is my thought I’d like you to ponder as well: Many people deem trouble and suffering as a bad thing. To be transparent, I’ve done my fair share of complaining, whining, and even crying when situations seem to keep coming and want to overwhelm me. But one thing I need to, no, want to keep in mind is that every moment, every event, is either a learning moment or a teaching moment. I can use it to learn something or use it to teach something.  Mr. Ellis used the moment with his daughter to learn something and then, in turn, use it to teach/share into a positive lesson.

In I Corinthians 10 the Apostle Paul is writing about Israel’s history in the wilderness and says these words: “These are things that happened as a warning to us.” (v.6). In verse 11 he says, “These things happened to them as examples for us. They were written down to warn us…”

Waste nothing. Learn from it. Teach it.

{Note: All Scripture from New Living Translation}

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September 17

Tuesday, September 17th, 2024

As one can expect there are many different views of God. Some are heretical, but those are not the kind I’m speaking about. Views like God is a God of wrath. Of Love. Of Vengeance. Of Patience. On and on it goes.

There is one which is gaining traction, I think, these days: God is a God who hates. On one end we have disgusting, narrow-minded, bigoted people who say, “God hates fags.” Or “God hates people of a different color, race, or different lifestyle than us.” On the other hand, we find a reaction from the side that says, “God is a God of love and hates bigoted, homophobic, racist people.” You know…ad infinitum, ad nauseum (on both sides).

How about this? God hates no one. While it is true God hates sin-and we all sin and will have to pay someday for our sin-God loves His image-bearers (that would be all of us). Proof you say?

My pleasure. “And as Moses lifted up the bronze snake on a pole in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in Him will have eternal life. For this is how God so loved the world: He gave His one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent His Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through Him.” (John 3:14-17 NLT)  Please take special note of verse 17. Jesus did not come to condemn the world but to save us. Case closed. He has offered us salvation, forgiveness of sin, and freedom from the chains and shame of sin. To all who look to the cross (depicted in verses 14-15) salvation is offered. Not forced…offered. How can anyone read verses 16-17 and say, “God hates (you fill in the blank).” Those verses say the exact opposite! God of hate? Think again.

We might flippantly say, “God is a God of love.” The truth of the matter is that He most definitely is! His arms are open. Open the door of your heart and let Him in.

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September 16

Monday, September 16th, 2024

It never ceases to amaze me when people who say they follow Christ allow petty differences to separate them. Yes, the words or actions hurt. I am not denying that but seriously? Lifelong friends becoming the rest-of-life enemies? I read the following story awhile back and used it yesterday during a communion thought:

Esther (Eppie) and Pauline Friedman were identical twins born on July 4, 1918. At age 21 they were married to their husbands in a double wedding. In 1955 Eppie took over an advice column in the Chicago Sun-Times called “Ask Ann Landers.” Only a few months later Pauline took up a similar column, “Dear Abby,” under the name Abigail Van Buren. Trouble began when Pauline offered their hometown paper, the Sioux City Journal, a lower rate for her “Dear Abby” column if the paper promised not to print her sister’s “Ask Ann Landers.” Eppie was furious. They both became very successful advice columnists, but their relationship was never the same. They counseled people on relationships, for crying out loud! Even after they both died, their children continued the feud. (copied from Feels Like Home by Lee Eclov-p.61-62)

I shake my head at that story, finding it almost unbelievable (but it’s true). Here are two advice columnists giving advice, but they can’t or won’t take their own. Hmmm. Sounds like many Christ-followers who carry grudges long past their prime. In fact, why carry a grudge at all? I tell people that “when you carry a grudge you are a slave to that other person. They own you.” They own your thoughts. They own your actions. Sometimes they even own your sleep. I will say it bluntly: it ain’t worth it. 

Stop allowing past difficulties to waylay your future. Stop allowing past differences to stymie your steps. Give it up and let the offense go. Or at least, forgive from your heart. If they refuse to reciprocate, the ball is in their court and you walk free.

 

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September 12

Thursday, September 12th, 2024

Abe Lincoln is credited with saying, “It is better to keep your mouth shut and thought a fool than to open it and remove all doubt.” That is actually an echo and restatement of Proverbs 17:28-“Even fools are thought wise when they keep silent; with their mouths shut they seem intelligent.”

My reading in Proverbs today was chapter 13. As I read it struck me how much of it talked about the mouth/tongue/speech. I thought it would be fun to list them for you:

  • Verse 6- “The words of the wicked are like a murderous ambush, but the words of the godly save lives.”
  • Verse 13- “The wicked are trapped by their own words, but the godly escape such trouble.”
  • Verse 14- “Wise words bring many benefits, and hard work brings rewards.”
  • Verse 15- “Fools think their own way is right, but the wise listen to others.”
  • Verse 17- “An honest witness tells the truth; a false witness tells lies.”
  • Verse 18- “Some people make cutting remarks, but the words of the wise bring healing.”
  • Verse 19- “Truthful words stand the test of time, but lies are soon exposed.”
  • Verse 22- “The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in those who tell the truth.”
  • Verse 26- “The godly give good advice to their friends; the wicked lead them astray.”

There are references to listening, being quick-tempered (which often includes the mouth shooting off), jealousy, and others. Maybe it is time for us to seriously stop and consider what we say and how we say it before Abe’s advice is found to be true in us.

{Note: All Scripture is from the New Living Translation}

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September 11

Wednesday, September 11th, 2024

“NEVER FORGET!”

It’s hard to. Those words will be spoken and heard a lot today. Anyone who was alive and old enough to understand knows the significance of today. If you are like me you know where you were and what you were doing when you first heard of the well-planned, but cowardly, devastating attack on American soil. Life has never been the same and seeing the images again reminds me of watching the Twin Towers burn and then collapse. I’m also thinking of the all-too-brief days following when politicians put aside their petty gripes against each other and sang “God Bless America” on the steps of the Capitol. I’m also thinking of the few brief days/weeks when hearts became sensitive to God’s role in the founding and ongoing history of our country. I’m also thinking of when it wasn’t so much “God Bless America” but “America Bless God.” Many churches saw spikes in their attendance as people sought solace in the face of such tragedy. Sadly, it died quickly. 

September 11, 2023 a double rainbow appeared in the NYC sky where the Twin Towers used to rise. The rainbow is a symbol of God’s presence and promise that He would never again destroy the earth by a flood. It is a promise from a faithful and true God.

Jesus has given us a reminder to remember Him by. Just as there will be gatherings today to honor the 3000+ souls who lost their lives 23 years ago (and since), so this memorial reminds us of the loss of life, but also the gaining of something greater. It reminds us of the ultimate sacrifice-one Man dying for the sin of the world. The perfect, sinless, Son of God, our Savior, taking the place of sinful, rebellious, unholy people to make the ultimate sacrifice to die in our place.

NEVER FORGET. 9/11.  The cross of Calvary and the price paid for people (you and me) who didn’t deserve it.

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September 10

Tuesday, September 10th, 2024

“Faith Over Fear.”

If there was one saying that was prominently used during the COVID desert it was this one. The most prominent-at least among Christ-followers-was “God’s got this.” But I’m thinking this ran a close second.  Sometimes it might be seen in a symbol: big letters FAITH on top of a line over the letters FEAR.

Simple enough: I believe it. I John 4:18 says, “Perfect love casts out fear.” (ESV)

Last week I spent time with an old friend. He was a bike-riding friend of mine of about 4-5 years when suddenly he ghosted me. A conspiracy theorist, he didn’t like it when I told him to be careful of making an accusation against someone and putting it in writing because he was setting himself up for a charge of slander. That was 2014. Ghost time. About a year or so ago I felt a burden to check up on an old friend. He was basically living a life of a hermit, paralyzed by his fears. I went away burdened but decisive that I was not going to put myself through that again. Last week he called me out of the blue asking a favor of me. Even though my day was full, I said yes to his request. When he asked why later, I told him, “Because I want to be Jesus to you.” He didn’t say much to that but what I learned is a leopard doesn’t change his spots. I won’t go into details, but long story short, he asked me if I was afraid.  I told him no. “Not afraid? Of COVID? No. Evil? No. Sick people? No. Why? “Because the Bible says, ‘Greater is He who is in me than he who is in the world.'” “That’s a lie,” he said. I disagreed and respectfully tried to explain it to him. “I tried it your way Bill. It didn’t work.”

There was more-much more-but I left saddened…again. I also left resolved to keep toxic-thinking people at arm’s length. And I left even more convinced that I have nothing to fear. I refuse to live my life afraid of my own shadow. Because, you see, I believe that no matter how much evil there is in the world (and I don’t deny there is), faith conquers fear.

I do know who wins in the end. And it ain’t the enemy, Satan.

J.E.S.U.S.  W.I.N.S.

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September 9

Monday, September 9th, 2024

Q: Who will teach our children?

A: The public school. Aaaah yeah.

A: The local church. That’s a little bit better answer but it still falls short.

A: The home/parents. At one point in the past we might have said, “Yes!” But recent events and previous events/years show us that is not always the best source.

A: The church and the home together. This is probably the best answer. Not the exclusive one like it used to be. When both church and home are off the rails, that makes for a crazy train ride.

I ask that question because of something I read this morning. It struck home. Psalm 78:4-6 says this: “We will not hide these truths from our children; we will tell the next generation about the glorious deeds of the Lord, about his power and his mighty wonders. For he issued his laws to Jacob; He commanded our ancestors to teach them to their children, so the next generation might know them-even the children not yet born-and they in turn will teach their own children.” (NLT)

The admonition there is that parents have been taught to teach so they can teach by passing down the lessons learned. This psalm is pretty clear that the bulk of the teaching is to be done at home, not at the public school (heaven forbid) or even the church (some of that is whacked).

But there is more! Verses 7-8 tell us why we are to teach our children! “So each generation should set its hope anew on God, not forgetting his glorious miracles and obeying his commands. Then they will not be like their ancestors-stubborn, rebellious, and unfaithful, refusing to give their hearts to God.” (NLT)

Methinks that somewhere along the line we missed the target. Just sayin’.

{Note: I’m not saying all public schools are off base. There are some-like my local school district-who, at this point, try hard to teach values I would consider worth learning. That’s the value of a small town school.}

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September 5

Thursday, September 5th, 2024

I couldn’t get to sleep last night so I got up and had my devotions. The following is what I wrote:

Christianity is based on fact. On truth. On the character of God. It’s not speculative. It is not based on a lie. It is not based on a God who changes like the shifting shadows. A shadow is a distortion of the real image. Watch your shadow next time you walk with the sun behind you. Skinnier and taller than the original.  (Maybe that is good?) 🙂

Jesus sacrificed His perfect life to secure our eternal life (in spite of our imperfection). Jesus’ love is eternal, unceasing, unchanging, rock-solid, and compassionate. Meanwhile, our love is temporary, limited, wishy-washy, mercurial, and selfish. Furthermore, God’s love has nothing to do with our own performance, our own good works, our own pretended holiness, or our own achievements (no matter how important we think they are). Our eternal life has EVERYTHING to do with His great love, His patient and forgiving love, a love that never quits. His love never changes, was laid down on our behalf, totally unmerited and unearned.

Does it get any better than that? I think not. Then why do I fight so hard to be accepted by Him and why do people fight so hard to push Him away?

An enigma for sure.  But there is no puzzle with these words: “Save me and rescue me, for you do what is right. Turn your ear to listen to me, and set me free. Be my rock of safety where I can always hide. Give the order to save me, for you are my rock and my fortress…Your righteousness, O God, reaches to the highest heavens. You have done such wonderful things. Who can compare with you, O God?” (Psalm 71:2-3, 19 NLT)

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