Simple Simon Ministries - simplesimonministries

Rhonda and I were laughing earlier tonight about our first Easter together as a married couple. 

I grew up in a world where the "Sunrise Service" on Easter Sunday morning was a regular ritual in the churches my father pastored.  As I began my own ministry, I helped organize and lead other churches in this endeavor.  Dozens of people arriving just before sunrise in a cemetery located either next to the church or in the city where I was serving.  An air of excitement; the anticipation of the worship experience we would all share together; the reminder that the grave is not the end - all of it was such a moving experience for me. 

Although I was between church staff adventures at the time of my first Easter Sunday as a married man, I was determined that this minor detail would not interfere with my plans to celebrate Easter morning the way I had for so many years.  I was also determined that Rhonda and I would share this time together.  I woke, dressed and prompted her to do the same.  I told her our destination was a surprise.  She reluctantly dressed and complied with my request.....

(Side note: It helps to understand that I don't sleep much.  4 or 5 hours of sleep is a good night for me generally.  In this area, Rhonda and I have helped to prove conclusively that opposites most certainly attract.  She is a sleeper.  I can remember when we dated how frustrated and impatient I would get sometimes because I wanted to see her so badly, but she was at her mother's home sleeping!!  Out of necessity (3 kids and an insomniac husband) she has grown content with a level of sleep deprivation that I am quite certain would have destroyed her before.)

......so we got into the car and headed out.  As I drove, Rhonda kept saying, "You are crazy.  I can't believe you woke me up this early."  I just smiled and patted her leg.

We pulled through the large gates of the city cemetery where we lived then.  I drove to a circular drive, shut off the car and got out.  Rhonda followed slowly...:).  I stood there, in the silence of that place.  I closed my eyes and began to imagine the sound of the trumpet, the blinding Light piercing the Eastern sky just ahead, the resurrected bodies of so many rising up to meet Jesus in the air.  We prayed. 

We returned home to our little apartment and slipped back into bed before heading out for church and family festivities later that day, but I will never forget that morning.  She loved me enough to follow me to the cemetery that morning and I love her enough to not ask her to again!  But I still have that same sense of wonder - that unction to pray early in the morning every Easter Sunday; to voice my praise to a Father that would give up so much, to a Son that would sacrifice so freely, to a Savior that would bear my sin and take away my shame - a sinner - a wretch like me. 

Later today, we will sing these words in worship together: 

Living He loved me

Dying He saved me

Buried He carried my sins far away

Rising He justified freely forever

One day He's coming

Oh Glorious Day

Oh Glorious Day

"When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so they could embalm him. Very early on Sunday morning, as the sun rose, they went to the tomb. They worried out loud to each other, "Who will roll back the stone from the tomb for us?"

Then they looked up, saw that it had been rolled back—it was a huge stone—and walked right in. They saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed all in white. They were completely taken aback, astonished.

He said, "Don't be afraid. I know you're looking for Jesus the Nazarene, the One they nailed on the cross. He's been raised up; he's here no longer. You can see for yourselves that the place is empty." Mark 16:1-7 (MSG)

An empty tomb, a risen Savior, the Hope of Glory!  Hallelujah!! 

Today, we battled the "snow crowd" at our local grocery store.  Who am I kidding?  We were part of the snow crowd.  We needed eggs, milk, bread....you know....the stuff you can never have enough of during inclement weather.

As we walked the aisles of the store, spoke to some folks we knew and headed for the check-out counter, I realized that there was a group of unfamiliar faces that seemed to be some kind of district or regional managers closely observing the activity near the floral department - really just a small counter and a couple of refrigerated units to keep some flowers fresh.  The floral department happens to be near the check out lanes.  It was clear this group was deep in thought about something and it was clear they were also in charge of...well...something.

I then noticed something very, very different.  We didn't have to wait in a long line like we usually do.  A smiling clerk met us at the end of one of the many open lanes and said in a very animated voice, "I can get you right here on aisle 5!"  I don't think I've ever seen more than two lanes open before - even when it's really crowded like today.  And I know for sure, that I most always have to wait for at least two to three other buggies to be emptied, totalled and bagged.  To top that, one of the store managers stood at the end of the counter and began to bag my groceries.....wow.  Another first.  As a matter of fact, when I was there just two days ago, I had to bag my own groceries.  Today a very well-dressed manager was bagging our stuff.

Why the dog and pony show?  Because the "big wigs" were in town of course!  The suits!  It was reassuring to see that the expectation from senior management is fabulous service, but disappointing to see that I only get that when they are hovering near, watching, evaluating.

Then I thought about the course of my day.  This morning, in the presence of the Holy Spirit, Jesus and The Father (the Holy Suits), I proclaimed my faith, my love, my commitment to Him.  These commitments soon fell apart, giving way to some terrible responses to a huge disappointment I was notified of in the late morning, some screaming about a what a bad break I've been getting lately and some deep thoughts as to how I can dig myself out of this mess I'm in.  Those proclamations of faith and trust - they were nothing more than my dog and pony show.

Later, Rhonda and I talked about faith and trust - going from saying we believe or saying that we believe God CAN to believing fully that He IS - not will - IS doing what we need him to do on our behalf.  How do we get there?  How do we muster up the kind of faith that causes Him to look at us and say, "Your faith has made it all okay."

I was saddened to see that my local grocery could be more committed to my level of satisfaction with the service they provide - that they know what to do, but just elect not to do it that way.  They give me only a part of what I deserve as a loyal customer.

And I'm certain I saddened The Father today, when although I could believe He WILL do what He promises He will do, I opt to only partially commit and I say I believe He can.  He not only can.  He will.  And my life, my whole being - not just my mouth - needs to begin to reflect that if I really want the portals of Heaven to be opened and if I really want the fullness of His blessing to be upon my life and the lives of those I care about most in this world.

Hard, hard lessons.  Thank you, Lord.  Amen.

"When [Paul] came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple." (Acts 9:26, MSG)

The Adolph Hitler of the 1st century.  That was Paul (the Apostle formerly known as Saul).  The chief persecutor of the Church is not exactly the most likely candidate for inclusion in the inner circle of Jesus' followers, huh?  I can see it now.  Paul comes riding into Jerusalem, ground zero of the Christian faith.  Zealots posted near the gates immediately spread the word that the Christian Killer has arrived in town.  He is alone.  He is on a mission.  He seems to know exactly where he is going.  He arrives at the home where some of Jesus' disciples are staying - the same place where the Holy Spirit fell on the Day of Pentecost.  "Who has betrayed us?", Matthew asks.  Paul knocks.  Silence.  Andrew stands just on the other side of the door from Paul.  He thinks to himself, "I wish my brother would hurry up and get back from the market.  Peter would know what to do."  Paul speaks.  "Gentlemen, my name is Paul ,formerly known as Saul of Tarsus, once a persecutor of those who follow Jesus Christ and believe He is the Messiah.  I have been your enemy.  But now, I have seen this Jesus and I believe."  Thomas runs down the stairs and stands behind Andrew.  They exchange nervous glances.  Thomas wants to know where Paul saw Jesus - they all do.  But no one speaks.  This is a trick.  If we open the door, those who accompany Saul will pounce on us, take us prisoner, kill us. 

"I know this must be hard for you to believe," Paul says.  "I've done some terrible things.  But I have seen and I believe.  I want to join with you and serve the Lord with you.  I want to be your friend."  Silence.  Paul turns away, headed for the home of Barnabas.

Just down the street, as Paul turns a corner, he bumps into a large, disheveled looking man carrying some loaves of bread in a basket.  Peter looks at him, “Shaloam.”  Paul responds, “Shaloam.”  They continue on, each to his own destination, having no idea they are both moving in the same direction…..

Eventually, Barnabas convinces the disciples to listen to Paul and his story.  The rest is history.

My father used a sermon illustration that included a quote from the poet Tennyson:  “The only man who behaved sensibly was my tailor: he took my measure anew every time he saw me, whilst all the rest went on with their old measurements and expected them to fit me.”  How hard it is to forget a person’s past and invest any level of confidence in their future.  What does the Word say?  “Because of this decision we don't evaluate people by what they have or how they look. We looked at the Messiah that way once and got it all wrong, as you know. We certainly don't look at him that way anymore. Now we look inside, and what we see is that anyone united with the Messiah gets a fresh start, is created new. The old life is gone; a new life burgeons! Look at it!” (I Cor. 5:16-17, MSG)

Paul’s old life was gone.  His New Life had begun.

Who do you distrust today?  What fears or what perceptions are keeping you from experiencing the relationships in Christ that have been divinely appointed for your life in Him?  Remember, our own understanding – our wisdom – folly.  Christ in us, this is the key.  His Mind.  His Words.  His Love.  Trust Him – with all of it.

Come on in, Brother Paul!!

"Part of you is eager, ready for anything in God; but another part is as lazy as an old dog sleeping by the fire." (Mark 14:38, MSG)

Who.....(gasp) where am I?  Wh.....wha.....what happened?  Is it...?  My head.....

That was my response this morning as I was reading in the Gospel of Mark.  Disorientation, grogginess, disbelief, confusion, realization, pain.  The good ole 'You're talking to me right there, aren't you, Lord?' syndrome.

Jesus is in anguish in the garden - the flesh man dealing with fear and dread.  Imagine the sin of the world - the weight of it.  Our own sin can seem so heavy at times – but we are only one sinner.  Multiply the weight of your own sin - the guilt, the shame, the isolation, the regret - by billions and billions.  I still cannot comprehend the weight of it, but if we can even begin to imagine His burden.....

Then Peter, James and John.  His inner circle.  His closest, "deep-Spirited friends".....sleeping.  He speaks first to Peter.

Although Jesus had long before changed the disciple’s name from Simon (meaning to "hear" or "to be heard") to Cephas or Peter (both meaning "rock" or "solid foundation"), when He approached the sleeping disciples, He spoke first to Peter.  This time, though, Jesus calls him Simon.  Peter’s old name.  Peter was not shy.  He was more than outspoken, talking readily about being ready-to-die for what he believed in, asking questions when no one else dared.  His old life as a salty sea dog fisherman had shaped his boldness.  But Jesus changed his name from Simon (translated loosely “blowhard”) to Cephas or Peter – a rock.  Peter was no longer some puff of wind, blowing furiously, making a ruckus and then disappearing as quickly as it appeared.  Jesus needed stick-to-it-iveness – a solid foundation upon which to build His Church.  Jesus calls him Simon in this scripture because Peter had fallen back to his days of saying versus doing.  Jesus calls him out on this and then hits Peter AND ME right between the eyes with these words, “Part of you is eager, ready for anything in God; but another part is as lazy as an old dog sleeping by the fire."

I began to think….’what is my old name?’  “What did He just call me?’

Arrogant, unfaithful, materialistic, blown by the wind, only a hearer, self-absorbed, manipulative and careless.  My old names?  Kapaneus, Getzel, Gifre, Raka.

Change my name, Lord!!  I never want to hear You call me by my old names!  Let me become the fullness of the name You sing over me – the new name You have given me.  Amen.

Commissioned, they left. They traveled from town to town telling the latest news of God, the Message, and curing people everywhere they went.

Herod, the ruler, heard of these goings on and didn't know what to think. There were people saying John had come back from the dead, others that Elijah had appeared, still others that some prophet of long ago had shown up. Herod said, "But I killed John—took off his head. So who is this that I keep hearing about?" Curious, he looked for a chance to see him in action.

The apostles returned and reported on what they had done. (Luke 9:1-10, MSG)

Coincidence?  I don't think so.  On Tuesday of last week, I wrote about the leadership to launch a Spirit Walk.  In praying about that, the Lord revealed that September 1st would be the day.  That's 9/1/2010 or 9-1-10.  Interestingly, Luke 9:1-10 tells of the sending out of the twleve disciples by Jesus.  Wow.  Now I have my "unction", my function and my step by step guide for that day!  So I'm going to break it down, instruction by instruction - and head out.

First, read carefully:  "Jesus now called the Twelve and gave them authority and power to deal with all the demons."  Now insert my name or your name.  "Jesus now called [Michael] and gave [him] authority and power to deal with all the demons."

Jesus knew that the disciples would face temptations, rejection and danger.  He knew that the enemy would try to foil their mission and so Jesus starts there.  He removes the enemy from the equation.  As we fast and pray in advance of September 1st, we need to focus heavily on laying the right kind of spiritual warfare artillery downrange.  We need to hammer the enemy's camp with big drops of Jesus' Blood! 

On September 1st, we will have dominion over the powers of darkness and nothing - NOTHING - will distract us from following the Light!! 

Satan, we bind you now, in Jesus' Name.  By the Power of His Blood and Resurrection, we declare your tricks, your deceptions, your entire arsenal and army DEFEATED.  "No weapon formed against us will prosper."  We bind you away from those lives, those situations, those needs and miracles appointed for that day.  Let go!  Let go!  In Jesus' Name!

Almost a week since I have written.  Not intentionally....I've been frozen.  I know exactly what needs to be done, but I get so stupid!  I allow the stinking enemy to distract and immobilize me.  The "More to come" part of the previous entry has been at the forefront of nearly everything I have done in the last 7 days.....but I also wrote these words a couple of years ago in a song:

Here I am again

Searching for some answers

Reaching for the life I know

You wanted me to live

But I'm so simple minded

So shallow and afraid

How do I become

What you conceived?

I will fast and pray for 7 days prior to September 1st.  That's the day. 

I will get up early.  I will open The Word.  Then I will allow God to fill in every blank page of the rest of that day.  I will drive.  I will walk.  I will pray.  He will supply the opportunity - my passing chariots - and I will walk through every door, follow every direction, speak every word He orders.  I will say nothing idle.  I will do nothing if not Spirit led to move.  He will go before me.  He will order my steps.  His Spirit will be upon me.  I will never be the same.

Will you join me?  Pray.  Seek His direction.  Comment below or sign the guestbook on the Home Page (www.simplesimonministries.shutterfly.com) to commit.  We will never be the same.  We will never be the same.  In Jesus' Name.

I really shouldn't read the Book of Acts on weekdays when I have to work!  This morning, instead of motivating me to get ready and head to work, it motivated me to just start walking down a street, a set of railroad tracks or in some shopping mall - waiting for "God's Angel" to point out to me what to do next, waiting for the Spirit of the Lord to tell me, "Climb in the chariot", waiting to "grab my chance to....preach Jesus to someone".......

Today, I want you all to just read the story of Philip and his encounter with the Ethiopian Eunuch in Acts Chapter 8 and you'll see exactly what I mean.  Man, what a LIFE!!!!  Philip must have just gotten up in the morning, gobbled down an unleavened Pop Tart, drank a shot of goat's milk, got on his knees and started praying - waiting for directions!  What a day!!!

It has sparked an idea.....and I'm going to follow God on this one.....and I am going to need your help!

Stay tuned - more to come....

I am so excited about what God is going to do!!!!

"The first thing he did after finding where Jesus lived.....he immediately led him to Jesus." (John 1:41-42, MSG)

I love the Gospel of John.  The prologue alone contains the whole of the Good News - John gets right to it, identifying the fulfillment of prophecy and quoting the witness of others who knew Jesus and recognized Him as The True Son of God.

Later in the first chapter, we begin to read about the coming together of Jesus' disciples - His closest followers - the 12.  Even before His earthly ministry really gets underway in the Power of the Holy Spirit, we see the model unfolding.  Andrew follows John the Baptist, encounters Jesus and takes off after Him.  Andrew then ultimately invites His brother, Simon (soon to be Peter) to "come and see".  Not long after, Jesus invites Philip to join the team.  Philip is so excited and immediately he runs to tell Nathanael about Jesus!

The Love, Compassion and Person of Jesus Christ is so contagious!!  As Christians, not only do we want more of Him in our own lives, we want to share the Good News about Him with our friends, family and acquaintances!  This Love, this amazing Love cannot, should not, will not be contained, silenced or pushed aside.  The desire to worship, the desire to serve something greater than ourselves burns within each human heart.  The pursuit of counterfeit happiness eats away at the human soul, traumatizes hearts, families, hopes and dreams.  But as we share our Faith in the One Who Knew No Sin, something strange and wonderful begins to flourish in the lives of those we know and even those we DON'T KNOW!  Here it is, "Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down." (Phillipians 4:7, MSG)

You've been redeemed!  Saved from an eternity separated from God!  You have heard and experienced this Gospel, this Life.  Don't hold back.  The gloves are off.  The saving Grace of Jesus is not to be a well-kept secret in your life!  Throw off the muzzle, the chains, "every weight" and "immediately lead them to Jesus!!"

Dad, you're gonna love this.....

Reid Elizabeth and I usually settle down at night by finding a "kid's show" to watch.  We lie in the bed, her head on my chest and watch whatever program she tells me to stop on (within reason, of course).  We have watched everything from Dora to Animal Planet and from SyFy to soccer.  Last night, (here you go, PawPaw) Andy Griffith.  And it was one of the classics.  Opie gets a new slingshot.  He takes aim at the ground, a tree and then....a bird.  He shoots - he scores.  Then he realizes what he's done.  Then, to make matters even more tragic, he discovers she has a new set of 3 baby birds on the nest.

Opie confesses to murder.  Andy shares some harsh (rightly so) words with Opie and then poses a question.  "What ya gonna do now?"  Opie, responds, "I guess I'll just have to be their Ma, Pa."  So it begins.  Opie sets up a bird cage (hundreds of these would have been readily available in Mayberry, I'm sure) on the front porch and begins to feed, care for and nurture the baby birds.  He names them - Winken, Blinken and Nod. 

You know the rest of the story.  Much to the "aghastness" of Aunt Bee and the disappointment of a child-like Barney, Andy discusses the birds' release with Opie.  Opie is reluctant at first and asks, "But Pa, what if I haven't done all the right things, on account I'm not really their Ma?"  "Oh, Opie," Andy replies, "I suspect you've done the right things.  These birds need a mugh bigger place - the way it was meant to be."

Opie mans up.  He lifts the birdcage off the hanger, steps down from the porch and begins to release the birds one by one saying, "Please be able to fly; please fly away."  And they do.  all 3 of them.  Andy and Opie walk back up on the porch, father and son, arm in arm.  "Cisco, Pancho."

And there I sit.  The father of 3 beautiful children.  Watching the sherriff's house fade to black.  Tears in my eyes.  What a sap.

Rhonda and I talk often about the subject "How can we let them go?"  We recognize that it is the natural order of things (at least from the world's perspective).  We also recognize that their independence ultimately may lead them to the fulfillment of their destiny in Christ.  We see that, but still, they're our babies, our offspring, our charge, our entire flesh life!  And it is painful to think about any level of separation from them for any period of time.

The Word....ah....The Word.... 

"I will still be the same

 when you are old and gray,

 and I will take care of you.

 I created you. I will carry you

 and always keep you safe." (Isaiah 46:4, CEV)

And I am reminded that Jesus loves children (of all ages) so much - my children, your children, all of them.

He said, "when you receive the childlike on My account, it's the same as receiving Me." Matthew 18:2, MSG)

Lord, just like Love, You gave them to us first.  Now we give them to You.  Cover them.  Feed them.  Clothe them.  Nurture them.  Use us to guide them through Your Perfect Wisdom - nothing of our own.  Because You alone are Holy.  You alone can teach purity, righteousness, blameless living.  I pray for those parents who are facing separation from their children for the first time this fall, this year.  Give them strength, courage, peace.  We pray "Please be able to fly, please fly away."  Give the children that same peace, "eagle's wings" on which to soar.  Your Word to begin and end their day in You.  "O, Lord that You would bless them indeed.  That You would elarge their territory.  That Your hand may be upon them, and that You would keep them from evil so they may not cause pain."  In Jesus' Name, AMEN. 

"Today, make your conversations count.  Enjoy life, but don't throw it away on silliness - folly.  Make wise decisions.  Have conversations that count - that make a difference.  Choose your words carefully.  Be wise enough to know when a conversation is losing value and be strong enough to walk away.  Allow Christ to be the Lord of your conversations, your thoughts, your relationships and your actions."

Those are my words.  Written yesterday morning.  By last night at 11:30 PM, I had been the absolute antithesis of the concept above.  The enemy hates our Spirit Life.  He wants to destroy it.  Squelch it.  Kill it.  He does it in a matter of seconds - taking an otherwise perfectly sane day and turning it upside down before we can even know what hit us.  And the casualties?  Usually the people closest to us.

Stupid devil - 1.  Me - 0.  Dangit!  I hate him!

So....now what?  Lord, I need you to help me fix stupid today.  You told Peter, James and John, "You want to do what is right, but you are weak."  I'm weak, Lord.  Give me strength to do what is right.  Stir your people today to be ever-mindful of You - Peace, Light, Hope - The Way.  Not my way - Yours.  You.  Not me.  You.  Until I am not and only You Are.

"Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and then turn and tear you to pieces." (Matthew 7:6, NIV)

Sleep is a strange and wonderful thing.  I don't know how many times we have gotten a kick out of something our children have said or done while sleeping.  Trey always talked in his sleep as a little kid (and still does occasionally) - he used to say some of the most far out things!  William falls asleep often watching television - and when you wake him to get him in bed, he has a tendency to laugh hysterically in his sleep (I'm laughing as I write thinking about it).  And Reid Elizabeth is a screamer - she only talks outloud in her sleep about things that make her angry!  Last night, I was awakened to the sound of her yelling, "I don't want a pig!  I don't want a pig!" several times!

I don't know in what context the issue arose for Reid Elizabeth during the night (and I'm pretty sure I don't want to!), but I couldn't help but run through some different scenarios in my mind. 

1.  We are in the pet shop.  Reid Elizabeth has her eye on a fluffy white kitten.  We draw her attention to the pot belly pig in the next cage over......she responds, "I don't want a pig!!"

2.  We are in line inside the bank.  Reid Elizabeth has just awakened from a nap and she is in her contrary, "don't touch me" mode.  A friendly teller offers her a small plastic piggy bank...."I don't want a pig!"

3.  Silly bands - farm animals.  Need I say more?

We will never know for sure, but whatever was going on in that little mind as she slept didn't set well with her - and you "wouldn't like her when she's angry!"

This morning, I couldn't help being reminded of Jesus' words recorded in the Gospel of Matthew about pigs and such.  The CEV translates it like this, "Don't give to dogs what belongs to God. They will only turn and attack you. Don't throw pearls down in front of pigs. They will trample all over them."  There are lots of theories as to what Jesus meant when He said those words.

Some scholars maintain that Jesus was talking about not wasting Spiritual doctrine on those who were not ready to receive it.  In other words, "don't spend a lot of time with babies trying to feed them steak.  They need milk.  They'll just gnaw around on the steak and mess it up for someone else who might be able to eat it."

But I have a different spin.  I had a good friend that shared an anecdote about his father that I have never forgotten.  He said that his father measured people in terms of seconds or minutes.  There were folks he didn't want to waste his time talking to - they were the 30 second people.  After 30 seconds of conversation, he would politely excuse himself and move on to whatever he had to, needed to or wanted to do next.  There were those 30 second people, 60 second people, 120 second people and people with no limits - the folks he really liked to spend time around and that he wanted to have longer conversations with - to invest in them and allow them to contribute to his life as well.  Wow.  What if we all were as wise?!?!

I know that I could have avoided some big pit falls by identifying up front some folks that I should have placed in the 30 second category, but I instead let them sow crap into my life and I became a slave to it.  Ring any bells for you?  I bet it does.

Today, make your conversations count.  Enjoy life, but don't throw it away on silliness - folly.  Make wise decisions.  Have conversations that count - that make a difference.  Choose your words carefully.  Be wise enough to know when a conversation is losing value and be strong enough to walk away.  Allow Christ to be the Lord of your conversations, your thoughts, your relationships and your actions.

Besides, who wants a pig anyway?  Not me!  I don't want a pig!! 

"You've been with me all this time, Philip, and you still don't understand?" (John 14:9, MSG)

We spent some time with dear friends yesterday.  It had been nearly a year since we had seen them, but as true, "deep spirited" friendships go, we picked up right where we left off!  We caught up on everything that had occurred in our lives over the past several months.  There were lots of good things, positive Spirit stuff and lists of tests and trials from both families, too.  Great kid stories, inspiring and encouraging ministry updates, laughter, reconnection.  And the challenges - cancer, sickness, broken hearts, busted relationships, growing pains and disappointments.

Life.

The good, the bad and the ugly.

The difference - Faith.

The stuff we celebrate, the stuff we endure - all are equal on that front.  Our friends have Faith.  It's just that simple.  So the easy stuff and the hard stuff are all taken in the same stride and the same Spirit.  We need not be shaken, we need not be disturbed or fearful - God is in control.  He's on His throne and in charge.  Nothing comes as a surprise to Him and nothing shakes Him.

Jesus goes on in John 14 to tell Philip and the rest of the disciples, "...whatever you request along the lines of who I am and what I am doing, I'll do it." (vs. 13).  This is the "Hope of glory in you."

Good to reconnect.  Even better to encourage, pray for and strengthen one another in the Faith.  Thanks, friends!!!

In my dream, my family and I were checking into a hotel and their was a fire alarm going off in the hallway. We were trying to get into our room and although we were aware there was an alarm going off, we just went about the business of going into the room. William asked if he could use the card key (common request), we entered the room and shut the door. The sound was as loud in the room as it was in the hallway – WAHN! WAHN! WAHN! WAHN! We were annoyed, but otherwise just went about our routine as if there were nothing out of the ordinary going on.

I woke up to the absence of the alarm – interesting. Rhonda had hit the snooze button (not likely an activity that made her real happy - I'm the only one that has to get up). I was in a deep sleep and had no idea that the sound I was hearing was our alarm clock. The dream seemed so real. I'm up now.

Sitting on the back patio this morning, I opened my Bible to these words: “Returning, He again found them asleep. They simply couldn't keep their eyes open, and they didn't have a plausible excuse.” (Mark 14:40, MSG)

In my dream, although there were alarms going off everywhere, we pretended there was not fire. In my real state, I was too asleep to understand what was happening with the alarm. I “simply couldn't keep [my] eyes open.”

The world is screaming for answers. But the Church goes about its routine like there is no fire. And we are too asleep – unaware of the harsh reality of a lost world and the reality of eternity separated from God. Our eyes are closed – our baptismal pools are empty and personal witnessing is fast becoming something the Church “usta” do. When He returns, we will have no plausible excuse.

How could a morning be filled with more Spirit and Word revelation? Like the old SNL skit, you may be asking, “Why don't you point the finger at yourself sometimes, Michael?” Hey, I'm the one who had the dreams – they are for me first – I am chief among the disappointments that wake up to Him every morning – all groggy, fat and happy – slow. I need to wake up, pray and seek Him diligently. I need to pay attention to what's around me – keeping my eyes open – never missing the opportunity to walk through the door the Holy Spirit opens. Me. Me. Forgive me, Lord. Forgive us, Lord.

Jesus is trying to take a walk through the temple on a cool, brisk, Jerusalem afternoon. He is surrounded by Jews who are hammering Him, trying to get Him to openly admit that He is Messiah. They are struggling – wanting to believe – a love/hate situation. Jesus knows that no answer will satisfy them, so He speaks of His relationship with the Father as a man, a Jew. He quotes scripture. And when He gives them the answer they are looking for, they pick up rocks to stone Him!!!

What Jesus said next blew me away this morning as I read John 10. When accused of blasphemy, His response was, “...put aside for a moment what you hear me say about myself and just take the evidence of the actions that are right before your eyes.” A test. He passed. They still wanted to arrest Him, but instead Jesus made good on one of His Self-Proclamations – that He was in control of His life and death – with the power to lay it down or take it up freely (because He just walked away in the midst of that frenzy – unharmed – LOVE IT).

BEEEEEP. BEEEEEP. BEEEEEP.

This is a test. This is only a test. If it were an actual emergency, you would be standing before The Judgment Seat of Christ – without the opportunity to plead your case or change your future.

You are standing in front of a large crowd of people. They are accusing you of impersonating a Christian. What do you say? You profess Christ. You say you have a relationship with The Father. You say you believe. They pick up rocks – they're not buying it. You resort to desperate measures. You yell out, “...put aside for a moment what you hear me say about myself and just take the evidence of the actions that are right before your eyes.”

What happens next? Today, consider this test. Determine your own ending to the situation just above. And do whatever it takes to make it a “happily ever-after” sort of thing.

"When this is all over," Judah answers,
 "the tyrant toppled,
The killing at an end,
 all signs of these cruelties long gone,
A new government of love will be established
 in the venerable David tradition.
A Ruler you can depend upon
 will head this government,
A Ruler passionate for justice,
 a Ruler quick to set things right." (Isaiah 16:4-5, MSG)

1600 miles.  We've talked about flying before, but the kids say that the road trip on vacation is part of the fun.  Maybe it's because we've watched National Lampoon's Vacation movies way too often and I am way too much like Clark Griswold!  This year, even Reid Elizabeth started yelling out, "Look kids, Big Ben!"  Can you believe that?  Hopeless!  :)

Anyway, it's a lot of driving.  The trip down is, I admit, pretty exciting.  13 hours -stops and all.  Not bad.  The drive back?  16 1/2 hours.  Exhausting!  The conversation on the return leg between Rhonda and I is always about flying next year.  We'll see.....

There was something that I did notice during the hours on the interstate this year.  Signs.  Hundreds, maybe thousands of them.  The challenging economy doesn't seem to have impacted outdoor advertising volume in the least.  There were billboards advertising everything from retirement communities to peaches and fireworks - the usual.  There are some risque billboards that always make me want to look in the rear view mirror to ensure that the kids are either asleep or focused on the "Now Playing" feature on the movie screen in the SUV - disappointing that those are legal honestly.

But this year, I did notice something different in the mix.  You know, it's not uncommon to see a homemade looking sign stuck in the middle of a corn field that announces, "Jesus Is Coming Soon!  Are You Ready?"  But during the road trip last week, I saw lots and lots of signs that bore a bold Christian message.  They were tasteful, attractive and well stated messages about the Love of God and about the human relationship with Him.  I didn't see a couple of these or 10 or 15.....I probably saw 50 of these signs!  I was really quite surprised and very pleased!  One of my favorites - a simple, black and white sign that read, "'We need to talk.' - God"  A huge statement that reflects man's need to have a relationship with The Father.  Nice.

All I could think about every time I saw one of these signs were two things.  First, the Christian Faith is alive and well!  How exciting to see the Kingdom so well-represented in such a worldly market!  Secondly, I couldn't help but think about the phrase, "signs of the times".  In a world that moves so fast (and the older I get, the faster it moves) it is easy to lose sight of the fact that we are mortal.  This physical world as we know it will end.  Did you read that?  It will end.  "The old life is gone; a new life burgeons!" (I Cor. 5:18, MSG)  What we see, hear and touch today will be no more.  The signs I saw that mark The Faith point the way - they are truly signs of the time.  It is a world where the Church is more cognizant than ever that the end of this flesh life is near and that the Spirit Life is the only Hope.  But the world recognizes this fact less now than ever before.  And they are dying - every minute, every day.  They are dying without Hope.  You and I can see the Light of the World.  And we must lead them to it.

Lord, today we ask for strength and courage.  We commit our lives as billboards of Hope.  Let the Message of Hope in You be clearly evident in our lives - our words, our actions, our opinions, our relationships.  Let there be no doubt that we trust in You alone.  That our Hope is in You.  I pray the world will look at us and know that we are Yours and want what we have in You.  In Jesus' Name, Amen.

"My Father is working straight through, even on the Sabbath. So am I." (John 5:17, MSG)

First day back to work after a fabulous 9 DAYS OFF!!  Wow!  We love being together and we love the beach!  Great combination.  The Lord continued to place some great Christian friends in our path - as He has been so faithful to do wherever we go.  It is so affirming to see Him at work in the lives of His children and to be reminded that we serve a BIG, BIG GOD!

The phrase lost in the paragraph above - "First day back to work...."  I got so excited about the rest of the paragraph, I nearly forgot what I was going to write about!  Had to go back and read it again.

This morning I read the story of the man who was unable to lower himself into the stirring waters at the pool of Bethesda.  Jesus happened to be walking near the pool on the Sabbath and noticed this crippled man lying there helpless.  He asked him if he would like to be healed - the answer in short - "YES."  Jesus told the man to pick up his bedroll and start walking - simple.  And he did just that.  Healed instantly.

It also "happened to be the Sabbath." (vs. 9)  Some Jews protested.  First they called attention to the man carrying his bedroll on the Sabbath - a captive law no-no.  Secondly, they called Jesus out for healing the man on the Sabbath - ridiculous.

Jesus' response reminded me of an SNL skit - a George W. Bush spoof that makes light of his work ethic as "W" makes a big deal out of emphasizing that he and his team are working evenings and Saturdays to address the issues and crises faced by the free world.  "We're workin' hard."

Jesus says, "My Father is working straight through, even on the Sabbath. So am I."  On our vacation, we prayed with and or committed to pray for multiple people.  Herman - a man in need at a gas station in Georgia.  An apparent mother and son who had an accident just seconds ahead of us.  A waitress who had just heard a dear friend had been diagnosed with terminal bone cancer.  Rhonda led us in prayer before we embarked - safety, blessing, patience (BIG answer!!:)) and favor.  What a privilege to "work straight through"!!!!  I did very little work that was job related while we were away - what a blessing.  And the "work" we did for the Kingdom?  Not work at all, a pleasure to have the opportunity to "go about doing good" just like our Savior.

"God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful." (I Cor. 1:9, MSG)  He never slumbers.  He never sleeps.  He never takes a vacation.  The Father, The Son and The Holy Spirit are "working straight through".  There is no time for vacations, no time for sabbaticals or retreat.  So..."Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." (Gal. 6:9, MSG)

"They went on to Beer (The Well), where God said to Moses, "Gather the people; I'll give them water." That's where Israel sang this song:

  Erupt, Well!
 Sing the Song of the Well,
  the well sunk by princes,
 Dug out by the peoples' leaders
  digging with their scepters and staffs." (Numbers 21:16-18, MSG)

You're Og, the King of Bashan, you are awakened by the sound of singing in the distance.  You hear camels, cattle, sheep.  There are bells ringing, instruments playing music and the sound of millions of people walking through your land.  It's no band of gypsies coming to set up a circus in your city to entertain your subjects.  It's a war cry - different than any war cry you've ever heard or ever imagined.  Oh no - The Israelites!

You immediately gather your army to go and defend your borders.  You will not let them pass.  You cannot let them pass.  You are driven by greed, prejudice and hatred.  Your neighbor, Sihon, has been destroyed by these people - the Amorite cities wiped out - no survivors.  But what is this music?  What is this song??

"Fire once poured out of Heshbon,
  flames from the city of Sihon;
 Burning up Ar of Moab,
  the natives of Arnon's heights.
 Doom, Moab!
  The people of Chemosh, done for!
 Sons turned out as fugitives, daughters abandoned as captives
   to the king of the Amorites, to Sihon. 

Oh, but we finished them off:
  Nothing left of Heshbon as far as Dibon;
 Devastation as far off as Nophah,
  scorched earth all the way to Medeba. " (vs. 28-30)

The song is the last thing you hear before you are wiped out by the Children of God!!  That's the power of PRAISE!!  Just like the Israelites, the Christian faith - you and me - are hated by the world.  We are looked upon as a band of wondering gypsies, foolish, dillusional, weak-minded vagrants.  The enemy seeks to destroy us.  He knows the Power that walks beside us on the road.  And he hears our song!!!

We lift our voices in worship and the enemy trembles.  It is the last thing the enemy hears.  The voices, the trumpet, the shout - then destruction!!  Come on Church!!!!  Sing The Song of the Well!!!

"I tell you not to worry about your life! Don't worry about having something to eat or wear. Life is more than food or clothing. Look at the crows! They don't plant or harvest, and they don't have storehouses or barns. But God takes care of them. You are much more important than any birds." (Luke 12:22-24, CEV)

The Message version of portions of Luke 12 following the passage above really brought out a point I had never considered about the "lilies of the field" that Jesus spoke about.  It says about the flowers "most of them [are] never seen".  I've used the illustration before in talking about worship, that flowers were created to beautify the earth and to bring glory to God.  They never have to do anything other than fulfill their purpose.  It is a pure, beautiful life of fulfillment, destiny and purpose.  They simply do what they were created to do and God blesses them with strength, the ability to endure storms and open beautifully again to the sun - new mercy every morning.  They grow straight and tall, soak up the nourishment God provides and simply give Him Glory.  They don't worry, they don't stress, they don't yell at their off-spring, "We are LATE!  What don't you understand about we HAVE to be there before 8:15?!?!?!"  They never worry about how much they spend at the grocery, gas prices or how they will pay for college or retirement.  In fact, they never move from the spot they are born in.  They just Glorify God.  And most of them are never seen.  They never receive accolades, applause or recognition - it's a one on one life - The Creator and the creation in perfect balance - communion.

I want that. 

I read the Book of Titus this morning.  I read it in the King James Version.

I won't paste it here, but I would encourage you to read it, too.  It's only 3 relatively short chapters, and even the toughest Bible reading is better than anything else we can put our eyes and minds on.

My assessment?  Poor Titus.

Paul apparently leaves Titus to minister to the Cretans (mixed with a few non-believing Jewish inhabitants of the island).  Paul sends Titus a letter warning him of all the things Titus needs to do to keep the Cretans and the Jews there in line.  From what I can gather, they liked to party and they liked to debate.  Yes - I know - that's not exactly a solid paraphrase of the KJV on this one, but it's close.  :)

Thing is, at first glance, it seems as though Titus got a raw deal.  I can see him now, all stubbed up and pouty as Paul boards a ship headed for Rome.  Picking at a splinter on the side of a pier post, kicking a pottery shard along a narrow street as he heads back to his quarters, head hung low.  "Why can't I go to Rome?  Why do I have to miss 'the big show' and stay here where nobody even really appreciates what we have to say?  It's just not fair!"

I'm inclined to agree.  Paul's letter leaves no doubt that the Cretans were an unruly (a word the KJV uses frequently in translation) lot of folks who lack an appreciation for the Holy and Just Life.  As I read, I couldn't help but see in my mind the image of Titus standing in the middle of a Mardi Gras parade on Bourbon Street, dressed in his 1st century attire and holding a short straw!  Tough duty.

Are you in the middle of your Crete?  Are you thinking you got the short end of the stick?  Struggling because you don't have a large and powerful ministry opportunity right now?  Wondering why you're assigned to a group that doesn't fully appreciate your calling, your Message, your faithfulness?  Paul said to Titus, "I left you in charge in Crete so you could complete what I left half-done." (Chap. 1:5, MSG)  Titus was to appoint leaders for the established Christian faith on the Greek island.  Tough duty?  Yes.  Fair, who knows?  The right thing?  Absolutely.  Titus the right guy?  You bet.

By the 8th century, there were 70 churches dotting the landscape of the island.  Christianity had taken a real hold on Crete and that influence and evidence of Titus' self-less and faithful service still dominates the religious scene there.

Are you standing in the middle of some desolate, dry land, holding a short straw?  Are you sulking?  Pouting because you're the one chosen to stay behind and convince deaf ears and break hard hearts?  Suck it up person of Faith!  Do the work you've been sent to do.  Make a difference!  You are not there by accident.  It's the Power of God working in you, leading others to the Cross.  Rejoice!  Celebrate!  Dance!  You are CHOSEN!!  Get it done!

Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" Jesus replied: 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.'  This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'" (Matthew 22:35-39, NIV)

As I sat on our back patio this morning, drinking my coffee and eating The Word, I was reminded again by the Holy Spirit about what my - our - purpose really is.  It's so easy to lose sight of what we're supposed to be doing, isn't it?  Too easy.

As I opened my Bible, the pages fell open to the Gospel of John.  At around chapters 14 & 15, Jesus is talking to His disciples about the lives of those who hear His commands and those who don't.  So the thought occurred to me - "back to the basics, what are His commands?"  In His Own Words, Jesus told us, didn't He?  "'Love the Lord your God with all your passion and prayer and intelligence.' This is the most important, the first on any list. But there is a second to set alongside it: 'Love others as well as you love yourself.' These two commands are pegs; everything in God's Law and the Prophets hangs from them." (same verses, MSG).

Everything hangs on "LOVE".  Everything.

In Ephesians 5, Paul tells the Church at Ephesus, "Live a life of love."  How much more clear could it be?  How simple.  How easy.....well, not exactly.  Nonetheless, that's the secret.  "Live a life of love."

Do we? 

"Love never gives up.
 Love cares more for others than for self.
 Love doesn't want what it doesn't have.
 Love doesn't strut,
 Doesn't have a swelled head,
 Doesn't force itself on others,
 Isn't always "me first,"
 Doesn't fly off the handle,
 Doesn't keep score of the sins of others,
 Doesn't revel when others grovel,
 Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth,
 Puts up with anything,
 Trusts God always,
 Always looks for the best,
 Never looks back,
 But keeps going to the end." (I Cor. 13:5-7, MSG)

Do we?  Do I?  That's the question that struck my heart this morning and the words kept echoing in my mind, "Live a life of love.  Live a life of love.  Live a life of love......"

"Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power
   and the glory and the majesty and the splendor,
   for everything in heaven and earth is yours.
   Yours, O LORD, is the kingdom;
   you are exalted as head over all." (I Chron. 29:11)

When I was a teenager, I house sat for my neighbors on a couple of different occasions.  They would go on vacation and I would sleep over at their house and check in on it a few times during the day to make sure nothing had been disturbed.  They had a nice house, satellite television (not a common thing when I was a teen!!), a pool, a billiards table in an above garage apartment - sweet place to hang out, so it wasn't much of a sacrifice.  Even though the place was nice, it wasn't mine.  I had the responsibility to protect it and to use it respectfully.  The owners expected to come home and find the place just like they left it.

The "Scripture of the Day" feed (on the Simple Simon page right beside this devotion) got my attention this morning.  Here I sit on OUR personal laptop, at OUR kitchen counter, in OUR house, drinking OUR coffee, writing MY devotion.  I will get in MY truck, use OUR money to pay for gas, drop OUR kids off at babysitter and school and drive to MY job.  This evening I will mow OUR grass, we will cook OUR dinner and end the day sleeping in OUR bed.  But in reality, all of it is HIS.  HIS.

Nothing we do for Him is really anything for Him.  Nothing we give to Him is a gift to Him.  That's why we're reminded in the Word that even our righteousness is "as filthy rags" before Him.  We have a responsibility to protect what is His and to use it respectfully, but IT IS ALL HIS.  EVERYTHING IS HIS.  Our offerings are not impressive, our worship can never begin to declare His true worth, and our lives - now and forever - are His gift to us, not our gift to Him.

Here's what we CAN do - "Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you." (Romans 12:1-2)

It has become one of my favorite verses.  Living sacrifice.  My life surrendered fully to Him - because it is HIS.  Your life surrendered fully to Him - because it is HIS.

Lord, we recognize Your significance and our insignificance.  We have and are nothing.  You possess and are everything - You Are The Great I AM.  Alpha and Omega - all of it.  Forgive us for believing we offer anything you need.  You desire our faithfulness, our righteousness, our lives, but You do not need them.  You Are God.  The Creator of All Things.  We see Your Glory and we recognize Your Greatness and Your Majesty.  First, Last, Always.  Amen.

"And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life." Matt. 19:29, NIV)

Strange morning.  Quiet house.  7:10 AM and everyone is already gone.  Usually, I take William and Reid Elizabeth to school and to the babysitter on my way to work.  So mornings are generally filled witht the sound of running water, the dog begging to come in, bathroom cabinets and drawers opening and closing, the steam from the iron - all mixed with some laughing, arguing, tired tears and "I wants...." (those mostly from Reid Elizabeth...:)).  Quiet house.  Empty house.

Now, based upon my description of the average morning above, you might think the silence is welcomed.  That's why I said strange morning.  It's unsettling.  It's downright weird.  And I really don't like it.  It's lonely.

When I read Jesus' words this morning, my mind wandered to a missionary in a hut in the middle of the African plains - separated from family, friends - everything familiar - having traded the life they knew and loved for a life of service - a life of service.  A living sacrifice.

What has He called you to do?  Will it put at risk your comfort levels?  Certainly.  Will you be in places you'd rather not be doing things you might rather not do?  Yes.  Will it take patience, fortitude and a deep grounding in The Word to give you the strength you need to stick to it?  Sure.  Will it require a deeper relationship with Him than ever before?  You bet.  And the reward?  It's no consolation prize - it's a hundred-fold return and eternal Life.  Wall Street can't guarantee anything close - well, anything really. 

So which investment would you think is wise?  Yeah, me too.  Now what?

"Look carefully at the branches again.
  Do it like someone who gathers the last few grapes." (Jeremiah 6:9, NIRV)

Let me say it first - I'm getting old.  There, I beat you to it.  One of my favorite things to do after coming home on summer evenings is to walk out to the garden and see how things have changed.  We did it again last night.  Rhonda mentioned we're getting close to the point where the corn needs to be side-dressed and I said I thought we'd see our first beans by the middle of June.  She noticed we had lost a cucumber plant and I apologized for having taken it out with the tiller the night before as I plowed between the rows.  No condemnation in the garden - she shook it off and we continued our tour.  I love that.

It is beautiful to see a graden grow and, I admit, a little depressing when the harvest is past.  I hate to see what was once vibrant and alive - filled with expectation - begin to wither and die.  A few beans still hang on the vine along with some drying tomatoes and a few small, half-worm-eaten ears of corn.  And remember, our survival is not dependent upon this garden.  We do it because we enjoy it.  What if you were the person picking the last of the grapes in a world where the precious fruit was such a staple of existence?  You'd comb the vine over pretty well, wouldn't you?  Sure we would.

Well, the vine is not withering, but the time for the end of the harvest is closer than it's ever been.  "Look carefully at the branches again.  Do it like someone who gathers the last few grapes."  The last grapes are of as much or more value than the first!  Look carefully around you - the world is still dying without Jesus.  The vast majority of the world's population does not profess Him as Lord.  The harsh reality is that we don't even truly live in a Christian nation any longer - "look carefully at the branches again..." - it is a lost and Godless world in which we live.  Don't stop pressing in for those around you who are destined for an eternity of separation from Him.  Live today like it's time to pick the last grapes.  To harvest that which will wither and die apart from our testimony - you and me sharing the incredible story of Jesus and His love for us.

Think even your community is basically saved?  Your co-workers?  Your friends?  Your family?  "Look carefully at the branches again...." 

“People are like grass;
  their beauty is like a flower in the field.
 The grass withers and the flower fades.
 But the word of the Lord remains forever.” (I Peter 1:24-25, NLT)

Purple Irises.  I think that's what they are.  We have 3 huge bunches of them at the west end of our house.  Apparently, that is an optimal spot for growing these irises, because every year at about this time, they explode into this dazzling array of purple flowers.  It happened again about a week and a half ago.  Literally, there must have been hundreds of these deep purple flowers.  Breathtaking.

Rhonda cut an armful of them a few days ago, put them in a vase and graced the dining table with ther presence (see photo attached - I couldn't resist).  They were beautiful.  She cut some more yesterday, but things are very different now.  She actually struggled with wondering if there were enough good ones left to fill the vase this time.  As soon as the show started, it was over.

The lesson?  "Irises come at you fast."  Just kidding.

The truth?  Peter didn't just recognize the brevity of life, he realized that everybody has their day in the sun - even non-believers.  Physically, emotionally and mentally everybody grows up.  We grow, we develop relationships and we learn to dream, think and act on our own behalf.  And a few people even get to live the life they always dreamed of - they have what appears to be the perfect life.  We call them "made".  The profession, the house, the car, the family, the vacations, the lifestyle.  Breathtaking.  And then, as quickly as they burst on the scene, they're gone.  Their job, their possessions, their relationships, their lifestyle - rubble.  At their funerals, their family and friends grieve at the loss but console themselves with reflection upon memories that denote success, adventure and a full life.  Gone.  Withered.  Dead.  And the common tragedy is that the only life they can speak of is the life past.  "Wherever you are, know that we love you and we miss you."

I don't want to be a purple iris.  I don't want to be a purple iris.  That's not a typo.  I don't want to live the "here today, gone tomorrow" life.  I want to be a tree!  Psalm 1:1-3 says, "Blessed is the one who obeys the law of the Lord.
  He doesn't follow the advice of evil people.
 He doesn't make a habit of doing what sinners do.
  He doesn't join those who make fun of the Lord and his law. 
 Instead, he takes delight in the law of the Lord.
  He thinks about his law day and night. 
 He is like a tree that is planted near a stream of water.
  It always bears its fruit at the right time.
 Its leaves don't dry up." (NIRV)

Lord, teach us to take hold of the richness of the soil of Your Word, to cling to the deep mysteries of this Your Spirit Life You have revealed to us.  To stand tall beside the flowing river of Your Grace and to drink in all that You have made marvelous, wonderful and eternal.  Give us the wisdom to live Life - not death.  To sow goodness - not wickedness.  To love deeply - not the surface love that the world sows.  We will not wither.  We will not fade.  We will not be plucked up by our shallow roots and cast out.  We call you Daddy.  You call us Your children.  Thank You for the forever Life.  Amen.

"Friends, when life gets really difficult, don't jump to the conclusion that God isn't on the job. Instead, be glad that you are in the very thick of what Christ experienced. This is a spiritual refining process, with glory just around the corner." (I Peter 4:12-13, MSG)

When the going gets tough, Christians rejoice!  Um....if that's the test, I fail.  I'm willing to bet I'm not alone.  That's what I thought.

Rough seas make it hard to see the shore don't they?  In the course of any one day, we can face frustration after frustration.  We get blown by the winds of job dissatisfaction, having to work through our relationships, the insensible sensitivity we must exercise with the Body sometimes, and the day to day drudge of feeling unfulfilled and isolated from our purpose in Christ.  Whoopee.  Isn't that so exciting?  Makes me just want to...well....rejoice.  How about you?  Reality - makes me wanna puke.

So how do we cope?  Depression, lonliness, guilt and all of the other dysfunctions we face here on earth have a real knack for getting in the way of our Walk.  When the path is so cluttered with life debris, how do we press on?

Hope.  Job, in the midst of his tough draw, heard these words from his friend Zophar, "...if you set your heart on God and reach out to him, If you scrub your hands of sin and refuse to entertain evil in your home, You'll be able to face the world unashamed and keep a firm grip on life, guiltless and fearless. You'll forget your troubles; they'll be like old, faded photographs. Your world will be washed in sunshine, every shadow dispersed by dayspring. Full of hope, you'll relax, confident again; you'll look around, sit back, and take it easy. Expansive, without a care in the world, you'll be hunted out by many for your blessing." (Job 11:13-19, MSG)

Paul talked about the "Hope of Glory" and Peter preached "Glory....just around the corner."

Keep pressing on today, tomorrow, until your last breath!  We know what's just around the corner - eternal life with Christ - face to face, embracing, Home....... 

One out, bases loaded, batter up.  William is alert and fully engaged - not always - but right now, he is concentrating.  The pitch, the swing, crack!  Fly ball to left field - William is in left field.  He watches intently, positions himself, steady, steady, snagged it!  Great catch!!  Runner at third tags up and heads toward home, the runner from second advances toward third.  Hours pass, the visual becomes complete and total slow motion.  William is elated he caught the fly ball.  I am elated he caught the fly ball.  The shortstop screams "Home, Home, Home!!!"  The second baseman yells, "Throw it!!!"  The coach watches, I watch.  William makes a solid throw toward Home, but the runner scores and the runner at third is safe.

Emotions are mixed.  The coach yells, "Dangit, William!!  The play was at third base!!"  The proud posture gives way to tears.  The beautiful catch forgotten, the focus becomes what should have been.  All the good forgotten.  All the right things done ignored.  Deflated, dejected, celebration thwarted.

I'd be the ultimate hypocrite to criticize the coach too severely.  He means well and has exercised a tremendous amount of patience with the team.  More than that, I've coached baseball, basketball, football and soccer.  And I am fairly competitive - to say the least.  Rhonda constantly warns me to not make a scene as I "discuss" with the officials the poor decisions they make.  She also warns me to "go easy on these boys, it's only a stupid game."  And she's right - but I insist on making a fool of myself on occasion anyway.  I get fired up and it's tough to put out that fire.  In the end, it is just a game, but the kids are passionate (usually) and they want to win.  And I want to help them win.  To teach them how, lead them to victory and celebrate their triumphs!

Enter, the Greatest Coach In the Universe!!  Jesus.  He knows we're passionate about winning and He wants us to win.  All of Heaven cheers us on!  We position ourselves, concentrate, and make the awesome catch.  Then just as we begin to celebrate, the devil sees our vulnerability, that we are distracted by our successes and he begins to try to confuse us - subtle messages, images, thoughts, ideas, temptations - and before you know it, our celebration has turned to tears and our victories begin to feel an awful lot like failures.  "Dangit, Michael!!  Look at you now!!  You're not such a great Christian after all, huh?!?!?  Ha, ha, ha!"

But Jesus picks us up, dusts us off, tells us what a great catch we made and helps us gear up to face another at bat, another fly ball, another opportunity to get it right.  He loves us and though He wants us to make every play perfectly and win every spiritual contest, He loves us regardless.  Agape love - a love that never dies, a love that never fails.  I love Him so much.

Willliam - great catch!  Now you know where the play is!  Go get 'em, Beamer! 

"...all the other people live however they wish,
 picking and choosing their gods.
But we live honoring God,
 and we're loyal to our God forever and ever." (Micah 4:5, MSG)

On Saturday, we buried the last surname carrier of a Bryant generation.  My grandfather's brother, Roy Bryant, passed away last week at the age of 87.  Not bad, Uncle Roy.  He was a "live life to the fullest" kind of man.  A good man.  A great sense of humor.  A survivor - he battled a couple types of cancer and beat them both.  A loyal husband, brother and friend.

At the funeral, my Aunt Hazel, Uncle Roy's now-widow, remarked that the first thing he did every morning was get up and read his Bible.  That has been the comment that has really dominated my thoughts as I have reflected on his life.  Beneath Uncle Roy's jokes and antics, there was a quiet wisdom that I sensed.  There was a foundation of faith, hope and love there.  More than just that Irish twinkle of the Bryant eye - a real peace.  Before Uncle Roy lost consciousness, he was mowing his lawn and watering flowers.  In that moment, what did he see?  Who came and told him it was time to go?

Uncle Roy didn't chase any "small g gods".  "[He] lived honoring God....loyal to [his] God forever and ever."  I pray this generational blessing over your family and mine.

Lord, we seek You.  In this moment, tomorrow, forever.  All other pursuits are useless, senseless if we don't first run after You.  God, we never want to take our eyes off of You.  We want to move where You move.  Go where You go.  May our sons and daughters run hard in pursuit of You alone.  When we finally come Home, I pray that their words of reflection on our earthly lives would reflect our passion for You.  I pray that my children, grandchildren and their children's children and those of every reader will honor You with their lives, their long-lived act of worship.  Let us set the standard now, raise it high that You would be exalted in our lives and our lineage - preemminent.  Master of all we think, say, do.  Lord.  "Oh that You would bless [us] indeed.  That You would enlarge [our] territory.  That Your hand would be upon [us].  And that You would keep [us] from evil that [we] may not cause pain."

Amen.

"For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable." (Romans 11:29, NKJV)

"There is something more."  "I'm just not happy, that's all.  I don't know why."  "Maybe we should think about spending some time apart."  "I'm tired of the same ole same ole."  "I can't do this job anymore."  "I've always wanted to live in Texas - maybe that's what I need - a change of scenery."  "That church just doesn't make me feel good anymore."  "I wish I knew what to do."

The sound of the statements above are thought and spoken with such frequency in the world today that the combined sound of it must be deafening to God.  People are lost, confused - dazed even - struggling to find their way in a world of distractions.  They're immobilized by fear, threatened by failure and attacked by the enemy who clips their wings before they even have a chance to attempt flight.  Abandoning purpose, they move through a series of failed human encounters in a futile attempt to find the ultimate relationship - only to find that they are disappointed at every turn.  Why?  Because the most important relationship, the most important responsibility is missing in their lives.  Their calling in Christ goes unfulfilled and the emptiness is beyond understanding - a void.  And nothing they try to fill it with - nothing they put in its place - can satisfy. 

World - you are not chasing a dream.  You don't need medication to make you smile.  Another family, another school, another circle of friends, a different job - these are not the prescription to treat your condition.  There is a Savior - His Name Is Jesus.  There is a relationship - deepest communion with Your Creator.  There is a role for you - Servant.  There is a plan for your life - Victory.  You are an overcomer.  You are "more than a conqueror".

Searching today?  Lost?  Confused?  Depressed?  Restless?  Sure you are - you're not home yet.  Search no longer.  Jesus is the giant simple answer to all of your issues, your questions, your problems and your fears.  His calling on your life can't be revoked and it cannot be replaced.  Seek Him and you will find......

"I'm asking God for one thing,
  only one thing:
 To live with him in his house
  my whole life long.
 I'll contemplate his beauty;
  I'll study at his feet. 

 That's the only quiet, secure place
  in a noisy world,
 The perfect getaway,
  far from the buzz of traffic." (Psalm 27:4-5, MSG)

When I read the excerpt from Psalms this morning, the phrase "I'll study at His feet" struck me oddly (as you know, lots of things "strike me oddly" - that's a nice way to say someone is wierd - "does he strike you as odd?").  My mind wandered to thoughts of "Star Wars" and the mighty Jedi Master - Yoda.  I thought of his students - Luke, Obi Wan, Hans Solo - sitting under the tutelage of this tiny green creature.  These young men were taught by Yoda to understand, experience and capture the fullness of "the force" in order to overcome their opponents.  They were taught the principles of mind over matter.  They were instructed to control their anger, pride and materialistic inclinations and to let "the force" control their thoughts, their decisions, their actions and their words.  Becoming one with "the force" is in every Jedi's list of "10 things to do before I die."

I'm no Jedi.  But I do know "The Force"!  God the Father wants us to spend our lives at the feet of Jesus - living under His tutelage to the extent that our thoughts, our decisions, our actions and our words reflect Him and are fueled by our relationship with Him.  The Holy Spirit is more than a "force".  The Holy Spirit is God In Spirit - one of the three members of the Godhead, the Trinity.  The Holy Spirit convicts, convinces and comforts those who are sensitive to these things of the Spirit.  

The Ultimate Force, this Counsellor, allows us to become the reflection of Christ - in the Spirit, we find the strength to control our anger, our pride, our material inclinations.  We become one with the Spirit, Who ushers us into the presence of His Son, Who intercedes continually on our behalf before the Father.  There is no independent activity, no solo career - the Godhead is in perfect unison.  In the same way, removed from the Vine, we are helpless, defenseless and defeated - dead.  When connected, we are strong, conquering and victorious - ALIVE! 

In Him we find the courage to stand, even when we've done all we know.  We find the strength to keep going, operating on something deeper than our own reserves, something more powerful than we can even begin to imagine. 

So, into The Force tap you should.  Good it is.....  

"What happened was this: People knew God perfectly well, but when they didn't treat him like God, refusing to worship him, they trivialized themselves into silliness and confusion so that there was neither sense nor direction left in their lives." (Romans 1:18, MSG)

There are many days, after just spending a few minutes in God's Word that I find myself struggling to find something worth saying in addition to what He says.  The above scripture is yet another stumper.  We're talking about a book written by a soon-to-be martyr in 57 AD (you CE fans - don't judge me...:)) to a culture that was accepting of God because they were generally accepting of gods.  Paul had made Christ clear, but the eyes of the Romans were fogged.

The Roman civilization was full of distractions, sideshows, pleasures.  They had "trivialized themselves" into a stupor of wanton ignorance.  They were immobilized by a lack of fear!  And they had lost direction - strayed from the true course.

Do I need to go any further?

"What happened was this: People knew God perfectly well, but when they didn't treat him like God, refusing to worship him, they trivialized themselves into silliness and confusion so that there was neither sense nor direction left in their lives."

WORSHIP HIM.  WORSHIP HIM.  WORSHIP HIM.  Notes on a page are useless until the Master musician lays the bow to the string, pulls them from the staff and gives them Life.  The air is filled with His Glory.  Want direction?  Up.

"Keep it up, and don't let anyone intimidate or silence you. No matter what happens, I'm with you and no one is going to be able to hurt you. You have no idea how many people I have on my side in this city." (Acts 18:9-10, MSG)

Verse 11 goes on to say. "That was all Paul needed."  When I read that this morning, that was all I needed.  Not everybody likes me.  Not everybody trusts me.  Not everybody can let go of my past mistakes and believe I am an asset to the Kingdom.  Not everyone likes the music.  Not everyone likes the clothes.  Not everyone likes my hair, my teeth, my shoes.  Not everyone likes my house.  Not everyone likes the ideas and the thoughts recorded in the daily devotionals!!  But just like Paul, I'm not here to please "everybody"!!!  I'm not here to tick people off either, but I am here to bring glory to The One Who saves us from our sin. 

I am here to write down whatever it is that God has given me in the moment.  I am here to encourage you - those of you who think I'm awesome and those of you who think I stink!  Why?  Because I wasn't called to be popular, forgiven by all, trusted by everyone or to be on the cover of Rolling Stone.  I was called to, ".....proclaim the Message with intensity; keep on your watch. Challenge, warn, and urge your people. Don't ever quit. Just keep it simple." (2 Timothy 4:2, MSG)

What opinions are holding you back from your calling today?  What attitudes, accusations or sour looks are taking the wind out of your calling sails?  Hey, the wind doesn't blow where it chooses.  God pulls it where he pleases.  He has positioned you for your calling.  You can cry, eat worms and feel sorry for yourself all day every day, but your calling is no less necessary to the Master's plan!  How many times could Paul have given up, quit, died??  He swam like a madman to get to shore after being shipwrecked because the Master told him, "No matter what happens, I'm with you..."  He picked his cut and bruised body up out of the middle of a pile of stones and dusted himself off to head to another meeting house to preach Christ.  He sang hymns to the rats in dungeons.  He never gave up.  He never gave up.  He never gave up.

You - child of God - redeemed by the Blood of the Lamb.  Called to a higher purpose than anyone can dare to accept from somebody like you - never give up.  Never give up.  Never give up. 

"The woman to be admired and praised
 is the woman who lives in the Fear-of-God.
Give her everything she deserves!
 Festoon her life with praises!" (Proverbs 31:31, MSG)

I'll never forget it.  1989.  Sunday afternoon, Williamsburg, KY.  I was serving on staff at a church in Danville - about 90 miles away from "Bill's-burg".  I could have eaten a bunch of different places, but I made the 180 mile round trip that day - twice - not because I loved KFC that much (although, it is still one of my favs!!).  I drove past 3 or 4 KFC's that day to get to the one in Williamsburg.  But I had the ultimate ulterior motive.  I had heard this beautiful girl I had been inquiring about worked there for her soon-to-be stepfather.  And I had a hot tip that she was scheduled to work there that Sunday.  I rushed back from Danville immediately after the morning worship service ended.  I knew I had a choir rehearsal to conduct and an evening worship service to lead, but that was 5 hours from then - I had plenty of time!

I pulled into the parking lot, drove around the building a couple of times to see if I could catch a glimpse - sure enough - there she was.  My breath went away, my heart began to beat like drums.  Wow.  I went in, ordered the usual - three piece, all white, with an extra biscuit (come on, at 175 pounds then, I could afford to eat whatever I wanted!!).  The woman of my dreams served me - I don't remember anything else about that lunch - just her.  In my memory, the place was empty except the two of us.  I'm sure there were probably other customers and other employees but I don't remember any of that.

I do remember literally thinking to myself as I watched her just move about, straightening chairs, wiping a counter, smiling at me - "That's my wife."  From that moment on, I knew she was the one.  I have never been the same.

Now, as I wait for her to wake up on Mother's Day 2010, I hear her breathing in rhythm with our 3-year-old bed buddy.  I will hear their voices first, then footsteps.  My breath will go away, my heart will begin to beat like drums.  Wow.  Still.

To my Mother, an amazing rock, who prayed I would find someone who fulfilled every passion in my life - Happy Mother's Day!!  And to the answer to her prayers, I Love You.  You are the Mother, the Wife and Friend of my most extravagant dreams.

Happy Mother's Day!!  

"Well, I'm telling you to open your eyes and take a good look at what's right in front of you. These Samaritan fields are ripe. It's harvest time!"  (John 4:35, MSG)

Jesus is the ultimate "mold breaker"!  Nothing stays the same after any encounter with the Son of God.  Everything changes.  We are forever different - forever changed.

Not surprisingly, Jesus' disciples question His time spent in conversation with the woman at the well.  She was a Samaritan - a non-Jew.  A Gentile.  Jewish custom indicated that you weren't supposed to fraternize with Samaritans.  Not only had Jesus fraternized - He had evangelized!  How dare Him!  How dare THEM for questioning.  We would never be so bold, would we?  Or....ummm....might we?

Jesus was concerned about perception alright. He was on a mission and He was concerned about the Father's perception of His performance.  We all want our boss to be pleased with the work we do, right?  We want our spouses and family members to celebrate our career successes with us and congratulate us on a job well done.  Jesus' drive to succeed was all about the Father's pleasure.  And the Father was more than pleased!  He was pleased that Jesus didn't come to earth to confrom but to transform.

Our lives are not about hanging with those we know love us - that we know we are safe with - that are of like mind and Spirit.  Our lives have been created by God as an offering, to be filled up and poured out - overflowing, abundant - a living sacrifice - mission oriented - God pleasing, man changing.  We have to move beyond the perceptions of others, beyond judgmental and condemning, unforgiving attitudes.  We have to transcend race, creed, preferences and beliefs and share the Message - the Good News - the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Move beyond today - do something extraordinary.  Speak Life, Share Love, Send Light.  "These Samaritan fields are ripe before you...."

"Don't fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It's wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life." (Phillipians 4:6-7, MSG)

"Don't worry.....be happy...", you know the tune.  That reggae, tropical-to-tribal acoustic pluck with a little conga to boot.  Just the sound of the music makes me happy!  As good as Bob Marley's lyric was, his concept of happiness couldn't hold a candle to the joy, happiness and peace that a personal relationship with Jesus can bring us.

Jesus said it best when he spoke these words to the woman at the well outside the Samaritan city:  "Everyone who drinks this water will get thirsty again and again. Anyone who drinks the water I give will never thirst—not ever. The water I give will be an artesian spring within, gushing fountains of endless life." (John 4:13-14, MSG)

Just like Porsche, "There is no substitute!"

Peace, love and....Jesus!!

"For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace." (Romans 6:14, NIV)

"You're not the boss of me!"  Ever heard that one?  Having been a kid a couple of centuries ago myself, and being in the throes of raising a teenager, a tweenager and a toddler at the same time, I've heard my share of those kinds of lines!  I'm sure you have too.  After all, we live in a world that's all about identifying and respecting clearly defined hierarchies for our professional and personal lives.

That's the reason I really dislike the "parental" driver type.  Yeah, I know.  The fact that I am familiar with that terminology means I have been to traffic school - and yes, it was compulsory.  The parental driver flashes his/her lights at you when you have forgotten to turn off your brights.  The result?  Right, now you are both blinded, hurling toward one another at speeds in excess of.....well....I don't really have to disclose that do I?  After all, you're not the boss of me...:)

But you understand what I mean.  That parental driver is not in my acceptable hierarchy.  I have no real accountability or responsibility to that individual.  It is the law that dictates how I drive - not a person.  But beyond the law, there is an element of respect, compassion, concern for my fellow travelers and a basic understanding of human decency that drives us to do the right thing when driving.  Driving is a privilege, right?  A privilege to be appreciated, respected and enjoyed responsibly.  That is a life-saving approach.

Grace.  A privilege, right?  A privilege to be appreciated, respected and enjoyed responsibly.  That is a life-saving approach!  That's freedom!  I am not controlled by Grace because Grace does not require control.  Grace abounds when I pass on privilege, honor and respect because I have been given the same although I am totally undeserving!  I'm not required to do good, but because of Grace I cannot imagine doing anything else!!  What FREEDOM!!

In December of 1992, Progress Magazine printed this story:

"When Billy Graham was driving through a small southern town, he was stopped by a policeman and charged with speeding. Graham admitted his guilt, but was told by the officer that he would have to appear in court.

The judge asked, "Guilty, or not guilty?" When Graham pleaded guilty, the judge replied, "That'll be ten dollars -- a dollar for every mile you went over the limit."

Suddenly the judge recognized the famous minister. "You have violated the law," he said. "The fine must be paid--but I am going to pay it for you." He took a ten dollar bill from his own wallet, attached it to the ticket, and then took Graham out and bought him a steak dinner! "That," said Billy Graham, "is how God treats repentant sinners!"

That's GRACE!!

"Time is just about up." (Revelation 1:3, MSG)

"Everybody's working for the weekend
Everybody wants a little romance
Everybody's goin' off the deep end
Everybody needs a second chance...."

I don't know why, but the words "eternal weekend" have been repeating themselves over and over in my head this morning.  The Lord revealed a couple of things to me about this message:

First, it's Friday.  The "week" is almost over.  As John writes in Revelation, "Time is just about up."  It's payday and we have either chosen to be good servants and reap the reward or we have decided to hold back our talents, bury them, call them our own and served man rather than God.  Your "paycheck" will reflect one of those scenarios.  "Depart from me" or "Well done, My good and faithful servant."  There is no middle ground - no partial payout.  It's all or nothing.

The second thing He revealed to me is that we are all working for the weekend - the eternal weekend.  As much as I enjoy my job and some of the great people I get to work with, it's not what I would do if I could do anything.  I suspect that's true for most of us.  I get to do my "if I could do anything" on my own time.  So on the weekends, we pursue our true delights!  Worshipping, spending time with family, hunting, yard and garden work, swimming, playing, hammocking (one of my favorites!!) and relaxing.  It's the weekend.  Enjoy it, right?  No longer doing what we have to do, but getting to do what we love to do!

Well, the eternal weekend isn't all about the hammock - although Heaven wouldn't be complete without one - it's about the pursuit of our first love - being the in the presence of Jesus and fulfilling our truest inner self.  When the outer shell is removed and the chains of death (the physical life process) are unlocked, we will become what He created us to be - in a perfect groove of worship, service and peace!  As the sun sets on our labors, the Son rises to fulfill our every dream and desire.  How awesome is that?!?!

Enjoy your weekend!!  TGIF!!!

"The king then asked me, "So what do you want?" (Nehemiah 2:4, MSG)

I'll never forget the three moments in which we found out the gender of our children during ultrasounds.  What thrilling news when you no longer call them "it"!!  You begin to talk to them, calling them by name - "Hey there, little Trey."  William, hey, buddy - it's your daddy."  Good morning Reid Elizabeth."  I loved talking to them and singing to them before they were born.  What an amazing thing!  Each time we were introduced to them through ultrasound, our hearts became even more filled with love.  We were so happy to finally "know" them.

We had nearly decided to stop at two children, but God kept laying on our heart that we needed to have one more.  He planted in our Spirits the understanding that there was a little girl out there that He wanted to give us.  I can remember so vividly talking about that together.

I'm skipping a paragraph here....:)

When the time finally came for us to find out the 3rd child's gender, all 4 of us went into the ultrasound room together.  The boys were totally convinced they were going to have a baby sister.  On the surface, Rhonda and I took the opposing position, but in our hearts there was this little girl that we knew He wanted us to have.  The technician began the procedure and she said to they boys, "What do you boys think it is?  A boy or a girl?"  The boys both exclaimed, "A girl.  Definitely a girl."  They also said, "But Mom and Dad think it's a boy."  After a few minutes, the technician turned to the boys and said, "Well, your parents were......wrong.  There's a little girl in there!"

I could barely see Rhonda's eyes filling with tears through my own blurred vision!  The boys excitedly said, "We told you!"  with big smiles on their faces.  Rhonda and I looked at each other and I said, "He gives us the desires of our hearts."  Listen to it again.  He gives us the desires of our hearts.  It addresses both the desire He plants and the desire He meets.

The King asked Nehemiah, the cupbearer, "So...what do you want?"  The Lord is asking you today "So...what do you want?"

I'm not talking about a genie in a bottle.  I'm talking about the God of the Universe!  He has planted your "want", your dreams, your aspirations and He can give them life, if you are willing to move in Him.  He has not led you into the wilderness to starve!!  He has led you THROUGH the wilderness to bring you into the "desires of your heart."

So....what DO you want?

".....love one another deeply, from the heart." (1 Peter 1:22, NIV)

14 & 10 - these numbers form a recipe for disaster.  Just a year ago, the numbers 13 & 9 made up the same dangerous formula.  These are the ages of our sons - then and now.  :)

Our sons, Trey and William, are both very loving and affectionate people - in and of themselves.  Put them together in a room for 5 minutes or less and things can get ugly pretty quickly.  William is learning great new tricks, gags and jokes to play on his big brother.  And Trey is starting to want his privacy as he manages through the difficult transition from boy to man.  This combination of stages is quite the little volatile cocktail! 

So last night, as we often do, we declared some family time.  We pry their hands from the game controllers and remotes and force them to sit with us and just talk.  We talk about school, church, relationships, vacation plans, grades, and the basics of respect, love and Christ-likeness.  These invitations to the living room - a room we seldomly use otherwise - are not exactly popular with the boys initially.  They complain about having their lives interrupted - oh the drama.  I have to keep them in check during these sessions - the bodily functions William wants to demonstrate and the attitude of "teenage mutant ninja Trey".  Otherwise, their mother can get grossed out or deeply concerned pretty quickly - and that's their ploy.  They're hoping to be dismissed early - but NO!!!  I like to make them endure it!

One of the things we talked about last night was their relationship.  They aren't very affectionate with each other right now.  We try to remind them that someday, in the earthly sense, they won't have us around to encourage them and they will need to support each other, care for each other and their sister.  We want them to "love one another deeply, from the heart."

Jesus had the same desire for His disciples.  He told them that He would be with them for a little while and then He would be gone.  And He encouraged them to love each other and to love others.  He encourages us to do the same.  Can you imagiine how He feels when His children bicker, complain and just don't get along?  Can you imagine how His heart breaks because He loves us so much and we demonstrate hatred, jealousy, animosity, murder of the heart - and call ourselves His sheep??  Sheep don't ONLY have relationship with the Shepherd.  They stick together.  They defend each other.  They recognize the value of strength in numbers.  They protect the weak in the flock and they warn each other of impending danger.  They eat together, sleep together, play together and move as one.  Want to learn some life lessons?  Watch some sheep.  Be careful not to count them...:)

So friends - "....love one another deeply, from the heart."  Trey and William - "....love one another deeply, from the heart."  Church - "....love one another deeply, from the heart."

You should not be reading this devotion!  Why?  Because I should not be sitting here writing it!  It is the second weekend of wild turkey season in Kentucky and I am sitting at the kitchen counter writing this devotion at 6:55 AM on an overcast but dry 65 degree morning during the peak of turkey breeding season!!  Why am I here?!?!?!

I'm here because the forecast called for rain.  Not a little bit of rain - lots of rain.  More than that, the forecast called for lightning, thunder and even the possibility of tornadoes later today in some areas.  So, at about 11:00 PM last night, the hunt Dad and I had planned for most of the week was determined to be a no-go.  During that go/no-go conversation, I made mention several times of the area of no rain I detected on the radar.  I've become pretty accurate in my own precipitation forecast predictions just by watching the radar on The Weather Channel Desktop.  You can track the moving storms and estimate their future path.  At first glance the forecast appeared to be going to hold true, except for one small slice of break in the storm that appeared to be headed for London, KY and the surrounding area.  I said, "I believe it's going to miss us."

And....it has.  So while the turkeys come off the roost this morning - about say...NOW, I am sitting here writing.  But, as you might expect, there is an important Spiritual lesson to be plucked here (pun 100% intentional).

Rhonda and I were watching a movie recently where a child was repeatedly told by the parents that they would never amount to anything.  A close friend of ours was diagnosed with malignant cancer.  Another friend has been experiencing some frightening and worrisome financial mountains.  I can remember the moment when doctors prepared me for the imminent death of my infant son.  I remember my mother looking at me with an expression of resignation in her eyes as she lay dying on an emergency room gurney.  I read a forecast that promised an 80% chance of severe storms this morning.  It is a beautiful, peaceful, filled-with-the-singing-of-birds kind of morning.  No wind.  No rain.  What I knew in my spirit - what I had seen before - caused me to understand that there was a chance for this - that the forecast might be wrong.  And it was.  And it is.....

For the child who was told they would be nobody, became somebody.  The friend diagnosed with cancer can be healed.  All the currency of the universe belongs to the Father so when mountains rise, speak to them and say, "Be cast into the ocean."  I watched my now 10-year-old son hit line drives last night at baseball practice.  I spoke with my mother on the phone just last night - she is alive and well.  And though the forecast was dreary, it is a beautiful morning!  As I close this devotion, I will take a cup of coffee to the front porch swing and I will listen to the voices of His Creation.

I do not serve a God of doom and gloom.  I serve a God of Hope - a God of Mercy - a God of Healing - a God of Deliverance - a God of Provision.  I don't mind the forecast because I know the God of the Heavens.  What appears stormy where I sit, appears sunny and clear to Him.

And this afternoon, I'm going to kill a turkey....

"The physical part of you is not some piece of property belonging to the spiritual part of you. God owns the whole works. So let people see God in and through your body." (I Cor. 6:20)

WHAT?!?!  I gained 2 pounds yesterday!  How in the world?  I ran a couple of miles, drank coffee, water and skim milk......ate a bologna sandwich, some Biscoff cookies, some corn chips, some yogurt coated pretzels and an almond granola bar........a pancake and fried ("lite") bologna for dinner......some chocolate chips for a snack......and, although I'm afraid to risk the untruth by committing, I THINK that's it. 

You're right, gaining two pounds is to be considered a net loss considering the weight of what I took in!  Dangit!!  Why is this so hard?!?!?!  That which I would not do, I do and that which I would do, I do not!  How's that for a tongue twister?  That confusing bit of reality has got the woodchuck beat all to pieces!

Paul told the Church at Corinth to not treat the body as something separate from the Spirit, but I have to admit, if I had treated my Spirit like I treated my body yesterday, I would need to get some real forgiveness.  The little bit of good I did do was cancelled by the ton of food I consumed.  The run likely only burned off the yogurt covered pretzels - not a great day in the life of my circulatory system.

Just yesterday morning, I was feeling so good about myself.  I was down 13.5 pounds!  So I thought a little rewarding might not hurt.  Pride got me.

We measure sin the same way don't we?  It's when we get so proud of our spirituality that we find ourselves believing we're invincible!  You come home from worship services so pumped up about Christ's presence in your life.  You're freshly committed, engaged, connected.  Then you stub your toe on a bike in the garage, launch into a tirade in front of your kids about how they never put things back where they belong, and when your spouse attempts to calm you down so you can just enjoy your Sunday afternoon, you tell him/her not to call you out in front of the kids and before you know it - your joy is a distant memory.  You had lost some weight during worship, but you just picked up frustration and anger that far outweigh what you laid down.  Two steps forward, three steps back.  Sound familiar?  Well....I'm not writing about my neighbor - I know the scenario all too well.

How do we overcome?  Whether we're dealing with a physical struggle or a Spiritual struggle, we must allow the Holy Spirit to permeate our whole life.  We have to allow the replacement of the sinful nature to be complete - body and soul.  We can overcome overeating and other sinful desires by way of this replacement.  We can overcome anger and frustration by allowing the Spirit of God to speak through us, for us....in the infamous words of the "Master of Disguise", "become another person."  Die daily - kill the flesh and kill the sin nature.  Take off the old, put on THE NEW.  Be not conformed, be transformed.  

Teach us, Lord.  Amen. 

"Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don't try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way." (James 1:2-4, MSG)

Yep - that's me!  When challenges arise, I consider it a gift and immediately begin thanking God for the challenges, the issues, the troubles and valleys in my life.  I bounce right back up and regain my composure, act in a completely mature fashion and people look at me with amazement!  Now for the truth - I'm a loser!!

When someone is upset with me, I get upset with them.  When someone dislikes me, I have a "strong tendency" to dislike them....I mean, I don't like them either.  When someone tries to undermine me, I begin drilling holes in the floor around them.  When another driver cuts me off or behaves rudely, Rhonda calls my reaction "road rage".....but it's really just a rage I get into and I happen to be driving on a road at that moment.......the rage can really come anywhere, anytime.  And when an uncomfortable and exposing situation comes my way, I try to dance my way out of it as fast as I can!  Let the situation "do its work" in me??  "Don't try to get out of anything prematurely??"  James, are you serious??

But that is what IT says.  The Word instructs us to "consider it a sheer gift....when tests and challenges come at your from all sides.." (vs. 2).  Is it that easy?  If it had been easy, it probably wouldn't have been addressed by James!  He gives it as instruction - a message to live contrary to the physical, mental and emotional responses of the flesh.  Living in the natural is...well.....natural.  It's easy.  Living in the carnal is our nature - so it comes effortlessly.  I heard a pastor say that "real change is effortless" - I tend to disagree.  So did Paul - and some other writers.  I don't have to discipline myself to achieve the effortless.  I am running on a somewhat consistent basis now, but it is anything but effortless.  I'm no longer sitting, I'm moving.  But it hurts and I often have to force myself, will myself to do it.  It is good for me.  It will prolong my life.  It has required a real change - but it is anything but effortless!!  That's why Paul said - run the race with endurance!!  Stick-to-it-ive-ness.

So let's change gears.  In all things, let's respond like mature followers of the ultimate Grace-Giver - Jesus. 

"Jesus wept." (John 11:35, KJV)

While we were watching the news last night, I learned of a disturbing incident.  I had never heard the story from 2006 before.  Marine Corporal Matthew Snyder was killed in action in 2006 in Iraq.  A fundamentalist church located in Topeka, KS picketed the funeral of the young Marine, speaking out in protest against the war and its victims.

I don't know why I hadn't heard this story previously.  I suppose I've been fairly successful in my attempts to avoid the media's grip on our nation - I really don't like so much negative, confrontational and depressing stuff being crammed in my head quite honestly, so I watch as little as possible. 

As I listened to the story, the words immediately came to me, "Jesus wept."  As He entered Bethany, Jesus was met by the sisters of His dear friend, Lazarus.  Stricken with grief over the death of their brother, they challenged Jesus.  Martha said, "Master, if you'd been here, my brother wouldn't have died." (vs. 21).

In this moment of grief, loss and desperation, Jesus found no political agenda to promote.  He organized no rally, took no stage, used no microphone and held no sign.  He didn't put on a hat or t-shirt labeled with the words, "NEVER DIE!", with an "x'ed" out circle over the image of a tomb.

He wept.  He cried.  Why?  Because Lazarus was dead?  No.  Because He was frustrated that they didn't have more faith?  No.  Because they were upset with Him for not coming sooner?  No.  Jesus cried, because Mary and Martha cried.  He hurt because they hurt.  He grieved because they grieved.  And He loved them.  He did not recite the greatest commandments - He was. 

Jesus wept when Matthew Snyder died.  He wept because Matthew Snyder's parents wept.  He loves Matthew Snyder.  He loves Matthew Snyder's parents.  And Jesus loves those who made the mistake of failing to exercise Christ-like compassion all "in His Name." 

Sure, there's freedom in speech and we have protection in the pursuit of whatever our cause may be.  Am I saying the act should not be protected?  No.  Who loves war and its impact?  But I know Whom I have believed - and He wept.  

Call me radical - but here's my position.  Westboro Baptist Church should have laid down their signs and their cause in 2006 on the day of Matthew Snyder's funeral.  They should have gathered.  They should have prayed.  They should have made casseroles and bought buckets of chicken.  They should have sent flowers.  They should have lowered their flag.  They should have honored Matthew Snyder.  They should have hugged his father.

They should have wept. 

"The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." (Galatians 2:20, NIV)

On Thursday, I had lunch at my new favorite spot.  The Grub Hub in Monticello, KY.  Don't Google it.  You will not find it.  Why?  It's a Mennonite establishment - a strange hybrid bulk foods, deli and general store kind of place.  And the Grub Hub is tucked away in the absolute middle of nowhere.  Best of all, for $5.00 you can eat until you're sick.  I held strictly to my regimen of trying to eat healthier foods.  I had a turkey sandwich on wheat, with a very thin slice of swiss cheese, letuce, tomato and very light mayonnaise.  Sun Chips and water for the drink.  Then I remembered those tiny little buckeyes they have in their bulk food section - that's when I fell off the proverbial wagon.  I didn't eat the whole bag - that day...:)

Anyway, when they had made my sandwich and I was ready to check out, Erma, the older, round, hardworking mother hen of the Dutch-speaking proprietorship, asked me if I was ready.  "Yes, ma'am", I said (I'm pretty sure she expects that - and Erma's thick forearms just give me the sense that she could really swing a broom if she got the notion).  She rang up my debit transaction on the very modern cash register (I don't really get it...) and the total came to $6.66.  Then Erma shocked me.  Maybe it was a sales tactic or maybe it truly was just her experience with other superstitious people.  But something told me that Erma was the one uncomfortable with collecting that total!  She said, "Do you want to buy something else to change that total?"  This time my response was less compliant.  "Nope", I said.  "That's just a number for you and me, right?  As Christians that number won't have any effect upon us at all!"  Erma said, "You know, you're right.  It's our faith in God that we are dependent upon - not a number."  Then she gladly collected my $6.66.

This experience came to mind immediately when I read the scripture above.  The life we live in the body is so susceptible to influence by ridiculous myths, superstitions and fairy tales.  People move in fear, uncertainty and respond in knee-jerk fashion to the most subtle whims and notions.  As Christians, we can rise above all that!!  We can transcend the trivial.  Wings of eagles.  Eagles don't find the lift for their beautiful flight in the dirt, sand or water - the surface factors.  They ride the wind - the unseen force that carries them so effortlessly above the fray.  You and I can't find the strength we need on the surface either.  It's a Spirit thing - an unseen force, infinitely superior in power to all other forces or influences.

So turn toward the wind, lift your "wings" and fly!

"I knew they were scheming to hurt me so I sent messengers back with this: "I'm doing a great work; I can't come down. Why should the work come to a standstill just so I can come down to see you?" (Nehemiah 6:2-3, MSG)

We've all heard the phrase, "With friends like that who needs enemies," right?  Nehemiah understood this concept all too well.  Our movement from enslavement to entitlement doesn't always set well with the folks around us - particularly our enemies!  Even more discouraging at times is the fact that the same jealousy, envy and pride that cause our enemies to sometimes rise up against us can also trip up our closest friends and sometimes even family!  I know that last bit is hard to believe....:) 

It's true, often the people closest to us are the ones who can cause us the most agony when they should be encouraging us - cheering us on??  Be it friend or foe, when opposition or accusation comes, we can learn alot from Nehemiah about how to respond.

First, we can rise above.  You've heard the mantra - "be the bigger person".  This is a great idea!  But the reality is that when our feelings are hurt and our trust is betradyed, it's a heck of alot easier to get down in the mud and wallow around - to respond with accusations of our own or lash out with hurtful words.  But Nehemiah did something different when his enemies attempted to call him out.  He said, "I'm doing a great work; I can't come down."  Wow!  Hey, whatever God has called you to, whatever your spiritual assignment is as you journey through this life, discipline yourself to rise above conflict and controversy.  Just like Nehemiah, let folks know that you don't have time to get down there in the dirt - you're on a mission and nothing - noone - is going to stand in your way of accomplishing all that God has called you to!!

Secondly, don't be afraid to challenge the untruth.  While the "facts" might appear damning, the truth will eventually be known.  Later on in chapter 6, Nehemiah just says, "Hey, that's not true."  And Nehemiah refused to let the untruth get him down.

Finally, while the truth can sometimes be painful for us to hear about ourselves, there's hope there too!  When Jesus found the adulterous woman lying in the dirt facing the stones of her accusers, the truth was plain - she was guilty.  The glorious fact is that guilt doesn't stand in the way of Mercy!  It might have been different sins than adultery, but her accusers eventually walked away in shame as their own sin was revealed to them - some likely greater sinners than the adulterous woman.  And the woman?  You can bet she never forgot the Man Who knew no sin.  That's our hope.  Christ is the ultimate Judge and His mercy flows freely.  The Psalmist declared, "The LORD is my light and my salvation—
   whom shall I fear?
   The LORD is the stronghold of my life—
   of whom shall I be afraid?

Be too busy today fulfilling your calling to lower yourself to the standards others have set for you!!  You see the light in the darkness that can never be extinguished! 

First of all, let me say that my children are freaks!  Each one of them has an unbelievably dry, hilarious sense of humor.  They are so much like their mother in that way - I'm serious.  Rhonda doesn't play her humor cards often, but when she does, she is one of the very few people on the planet who bring me to side-splitting laughter!  She is so funny!  And our children are just like her!

From Reid Elizabeth's hands on hips, finger shaking, teeth-gritting mumbo-jumbo pretending to be in charge, to William's classic lines he uses sparingly - always at just the right moment with perfect inflection (and we all simultaneously burst out laughing hysterically), to Trey's 100,000 movie lines he can weave into any situation - all hilarious.

Yesterday morning, Trey was in rare form.  He was returning to school for day two of the return-from-spring-break week, it was garbage day and he had stayed up too late the night before.  He should have been tired and grumpy, but he was bright-eyed, laughing and in his element.  Pacing around the house looking for a comedic opportunity. He found it.

I had experienced a nosebleed the night before.  When I got up and put my shirt on, I realized that I had gotten a small spot of blood on my shirt.  When I made the attempt to explain, Trey quickly responded with the question "Were ya pickin' at it?"  It was the combination of the speed, the mountain-man accent and the concept that got me.  It's a classic question = an extremely parental question - one I have asked on multiple occasions.  And it was hilarious.  Interestingly, the understanding of all of the above hit me immediately, but it wasn't until this morning as I lay awake waiting for the alarm to go off that I began to laugh about it.  I laughed so hard that I was shaking the bed and finally had to get up for fear of waking Rhonda (and yes, Reid Elizabeth - who we haven't had the heart to kick out of our bed yet).

What's the point?  Parents - STOP PICKING YOUR NOSE!  OUR KIDS ARE WATCHING!  No - that's not really it - although it may be somewhat true....

No, I think the point is BE HAPPY!!!  Wake up laughing!!!  We have a Savior!!  Rejoice!  Galatians 5:1 says, "Christ has set us free to live a free life." (MSG)  There's POWER there!!!  Our children are teaching us the power of patience, forgiveness and unconditional love.  They are reaching out to us in need and ministering to us when we need to be strengthened, encouraged, lifted up!  God is working out the reality of the Spirit realm in the midst of us by demonstrating to us His love and His mercy through "the mouths of babies"!!!!!

BE HAPPY!!! LOLOLOLOL!!!!

I'll call nobodies and make them somebodies;
  I'll call the unloved and make them beloved.
 In the place where they yelled out, "You're nobody!"
  they're calling you "God's living children."

I am always amazed that the favor of God would rest upon my life in any way.  Yet He continually pours out His blessings!  Like the scripture from Romans above says, even when I think I'm nobody, He thinks I'm somebody!  When I feel like the world hates me, He loves me!  Not only does He love us - He gives us the opportunity to share in the richness of His Kingdom - a better portion - abundance!

Only He can make these things happen.  And He wants to do it for you - now!  Receive His blessing and the curses of the world will fade quickly! 

"You can easily enough see how this kind of thing works by looking no further than your own body. Your body has many parts—limbs, organs, cells—but no matter how many parts you can name, you're still one body. It's exactly the same with Christ. By means of his one Spirit, we all said good-bye to our partial and piecemeal lives. We each used to independently call our own shots, but then we entered into a large and integrated life in which he has the final say in everything. (This is what we proclaimed in word and action when we were baptized.) Each of us is now a part of his resurrection body, refreshed and sustained at one fountain—his Spirit—where we all come to drink. The old labels we once used to identify ourselves—labels like Jew or Greek, slave or free—are no longer useful." (I Cor. 12:12-13, MSG)

We ran into a good friend at the print shop yesterday.  I was picking up promotional posters for "all of me" and he was picking up freshly printed copies of his new book "A Collection of Heirloom Kentucky & Southern Recipes:  How Kentuckians REALLY Fry Chicken at Home".  Buddy is a great and treasured friend and we traded wares.  I got a cookbook and he got a CD!  In the words of an infamous line from one of my favorite movies - "good trade".  We swapped publishing war stories, caught up on the most recent family news, hugged and parted ways.

When I read the scripture above this morning, my mind wandered to Buddy's recipes.  They each have a plethera of ingredients - all of which make for the perfect final masterpiece!

Such is the Kingdom of God.  A little bit of your gifting, a dash of your neighbor's gifting, a tablespoon of your pastor's gifting and heaping scoop of Holy Spirit presence (the secret ingredient!!) and you've got the perfect combination for changing the flavor of the world!!

I'm thankful that God can use our unique textures and flavors to create delectable dishes to be served up to the world in honor of Christ! 

By the way, Buddy and I highly recommend experimenting with some of his recipes while listening to songs of inspiration and hope from your new favorite CD - "all of me"....

You can order the cookbook at www.buddywestbrook.com or pick up a copy at Joseph-Beth Bookstores in Lexington.  The CD?  Well....you know where to find that!!

Enjoy!!

"Simon said, "Master, we've been fishing hard all night and haven't caught even a minnow. But if you say so, I'll let out the nets." It was no sooner said than done—a huge haul of fish, straining the nets past capacity. They waved to their partners in the other boat to come help them. They filled both boats, nearly swamping them with the catch." (Luke 5:5, MSG)

April.  The 4th month.  1/3 of the year will be gone when we close out this month.  What has "The Power of 29" produced?  Have we shared our faith with someone lost?  Have we been praying that God will open doors and place people in our path that need Jesus at the center of their lives?  Are we passionate about those who are dying and going to hell?  Or have we become satisfied that we have a reservation - what else matters?

Maybe you have been reaching out.  Maybe you have been sharing your faith, but you're frustrated because your labor hasn't yielded any fruit.  Well, the Word tells us to keep on keeping on, doesn't it? 

Rhonda's favorite flower is hydrangea.  Everywhere we have lived, I have planted hydrangea.  She cuts them and brings them inside.  We take pictures of them.  We really, really like them.  I transplanted several of them a few years ago in a bed at the end of our house outside the garage.  For the first two years after I transplanted them, they did nothing but grow leaves.  Last year, I decided that I was going to dig them up and trash them if they didn't grow flowers.  I had become impatient with those plants.  I knew they were capable of producing beauty, but they had refused.  I was frustrated and growing weary with fertilizing, weeding and watering plants that just didn't seem to appreciate our efforts!

Last summer, someone apparently told these plants of my diabolical plan for them.  :)  They grew some of the most beautiful nikko blue flowers I have ever seen.  There we were, admiring them, photographing them (I even attached a picture of Reid Elizabeth admiring them - see the bottom of this devotion), boasting over how beautiful they were.  We cut them fresh and placed them on the dining table when guests were coming.  They were the crown jewels of our garden!!

The moral?  Don't give up!  The Word tells us that "we do not labor in vain!"  Your prayers for the lost are being heard.  The Holy Spirit is moving!  Keep cultivating relationships, be patient, tend the lost sheep as though they are already a part of the fold.  Just like Peter had fished all night and caught nothing, you have worked, you have prayed, poured out your heart - and there will be a harvest!!  God is working it all out!  You can't save the lost - but you can keep sharing with them the Good News that there is One Who can save them!  You know the lyrics - "His Name is Jesus, Precious Jesus, Lord Almighty, King of my life, King of Glory!!"

"Let all that I am praise the Lord;
  with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name.
Let all that I am praise the Lord;
  may I never forget the good things he does for me.
He forgives all my sins
  and heals all my diseases.
He redeems me from death
  and crowns me with love and tender mercies.
He fills my life with good things.
  My youth is renewed like the eagle’s!" (Psalm 103:1-5, NLT)

Wow!  King David sure knew how to praise the Lord, huh?  And how did the King become so adept at worshipping?  It's simple.  Before he was a King who worshipped, David was a courageous shepherd who worshipped.  Before he was a king, David was an errand boy who worshipped.  Before he was a king, David was a giant killer who worshipped.  Before he was a king, David worshipped.

David didn't wait for all of his dreams to come true or all of his decisions to be perfect or until he was the King of Judah to worship his God.  He worshipped God where he was, as he was, through whatever was happening and in spite of what anyone was saying about him.

So why do we wait until that debt is paid off, the kids are grown and established, our health improves or our lottery ticket "sets us free" to begin thinking about praising, thanking and worshipping God?  Because the devil wants you to wait until the stars are aligned and you feel perfect about yourself and everyone else around you before you make the decision to give your all to Christ.  He wants you to wait until that day.  He's a "cart before the horse" kind of enemy.  If you wait until the world makes sense to surrender your heart to Jesus, you will wait forever.  If you really want to understand what the world is all about and what life is all about, then you won't wait another second.  Jesus has all the answers.  He holds all the keys to all of your joy, your contentment, your peace, your happiness. 

I went to an art gallery a few years ago.  It was an unconventional art gallery.  The artist was a man who made collages that were encased in glass and made from everyday items that you might find laying around your house or your office.  The one work of art that caught my attention above all the others was a collage made up entirely of keys and locks - padlocks.  There were hundreds of both of these items.  As i stood back and observed the piece, I realized that the arrangement formed a door - a door with bars.  Behind the door was the image of a person.  The image stood there helpless, hopeless, captive, alone and afraid.  On the door there was a hinged locking mechanism that at first glance appeared to be secured by a padlock.  But as I looked more closely, I realized that the padlock hung on the latch, open and hanging behind the pad it was intended to secure.  All the person behind the door had to do was push ever so lightly and they would be free!

What are you waiting for??  "O soul are you weary and troubled?  No light in the darkness you see.  There's light for a look at the Savior and Grace more abundant and free!  Turn your eyes upon Jesus.  Look full in His wonderful face.  And the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the Light of His Glory and Grace!"  Just push on the door gently!  Praise Him NOW!!!  Praise Him in the midst of the turmoil!  He is closer than you know!!

"Who are you, a mere human being, to argue with God? Should the thing that was created say to the one who created it, “Why have you made me like this?” (Romans 9:20, NLT)

"That's just not fair."  "How can I overcome that?"  "I don't have a chance."  "God has already decided who will receive eternal life - why bother?"

Arguments over predestination have raged for centuries.  These arguments and opinions that fuel unbelief for some are simply one more set of weaponry that the enemy uses to distract the Church and confuse those who would otherwise surrender to the call of the Cross.  What does it all mean?  What is this spiritual issue all about?

I can only put it in simple terms.  I'm going to drag you down to my level, if you'll join me - it's a little strange down here, so hang on....

Here's what I believe.  God is God.  He can and will do whatever He wants to do.  AND, like in the verse from Romans today, who am I to question Him?  But, there are interpretations and misconstrued issues from God's Word that the Church and the "un-church" have seen fit to argue over for thousands of years, and this issue of predestination is one of those.  The philosophy says that God has already chosen you or He has already eliminated you from the fold.  There is no overcoming His decision.  You cannot rebound from decided separation.  But even that thought process is immediately limiting.  It is "black and white", "cut and dried".  It stipulates that God has only two choices.  That He is powerless to rise above choice. 

I believe that the Creator of the Universe is not limited to my feeble understanding of decision making.  My understanding is dimensionally limited.  When faced with an obstacle, I can choose to go around it, over it, under it or through it.  But God can do all those things and more.  He can roomagoo it, spifacado it or sumba hidle it (yep - He's got options we don't understand!!!).  You see, He can also remove the obstacle completely - by making it as though it were never there.  He's God and what He created, He can un-create.  With God there are no boundaries, there are no limitations, there are no choices - only decisions - made with a perfect wisdom totally unfathomable by man.

The crux?  Predestination to me means simply this:  God gives me a choice - the black or white kind of choice - I choose to accept Him or reject Him.  Simple.  Predestination - in my understanding - is the concept that while I have this right to choose, HE KNOWS WHAT I AM GOING TO CHOOSE!!!  You see, He knows I am limited in my decision making process - He created the mind, the spirit, the soul - the window into me.  The window into you.  He gives us the freedom to choose but He is the Author of Forever - yesterday, today AND tomorrow.  Is the future set?  Yes.  Is eternal Life in your future?  Well.....you decide.

I watched an amazing show earlier this week.  It was a History Channel program that focused on recreating the 3-dimensional shape that would have caused the image within the Shroud or Turin.  Scientists did a series of tests and measurements, placing a similar piece of cloth on molded faces to understand how the draping effect could have impacted the image.  They positioned the blood stains to understand the dimensions of the body.  They used fibers and hairs to reconstruct any details and they took time to prove that light had to be the cause of the image - no paint, no blood, no chemicals - light.  And not just any kind of light.  Using radiant light, scientists were unable to reproduce such an image.  Laser light was unsuccessful in replicating the image.  It was not until they used "slices" of light, like the technology in modern day digital scanners, that they were able to take the face that they had created from the shroud and reverse the process to produce a nearly exact match to the image on the shroud.

The scientists had reproduced the porportions and the features of the skeletal structure, studied the molecular composition of the herbs and spices used in the burial process and using this data, formed a copy of what the face of the man in the shroud would have most likely looked like.

Amazing!  If the shroud was the burial cloth of Our Lord, I looked into the eyes of the One Who died for us.  For me. For you. I cried.  The scientists cried.  His face was peaceful, inviting.  I would have loved to have listened to Him teach!  Thousands upon thousands did! 

Most intriguing to me was this small "issue" they did not include in the program - but I could not help but notice.  One of the scientists who was instrumental in recreating the image mentioned that the blood patterns indicated trauma liken unto that which is experienced by the body of a person killed in a horrific car accident.  BUT God showed me something.....the image reproduced had no trauma.  The face was smooth - unaged, unscarred.  As the scanning Light moved over the body of Jesus, it would have (must have) only captured the healed, perfected image of Jesus face.  How AWESOME is that?!?!?!?  Though the blood stains were left on the cloth - that earthly piece of rubble - the body and the face in the image are untouched!!  Just as the Bible tells us - He had a perfected body.  He was healed.  HE WAS RISEN!!!

This morning, this Easter morning - I see the sun rising over the hills beyond our windows.  I hear the birds singing their Spring songs.  I note the stillness of this moment and imagine Mary Magdalene - sandals sadly scuffling along the stone path leading to the garden tomb.  A basket full of spices, cloths, fragrant oil.  Eyes fixed on the ground, her mournful stare is interrupted by a Voice.  "Mary, who are you looking for?  Why are you looking in a cemetery for a Living Man?  He is alive!  He is risen!!  The basket falls to the ground.  Mary falls to the ground.  The angels instruct - "Go.  Tell."  Mary abandons everything - she leaves the death possessions behind.  She is forever changed.  The world is forever changed.  I am forever changed.  He is risen!  Go!  Tell!!

"One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God." (Luke 6:12, NIV)

Abraham, Moses, countless others and most importantly Jesus - they all climbed mountains, got away from it all - rekindled, refreshed, reset, renewed.  We're no different - we all need time to get up on the mountain for awhile.

So stay with us.  We're up on the mountain.  We'll be back soon!!

Peace to you all!

" And I'll be the poet who sings your glory—
  and live what I sing every day." (Psalm 61:8, MSG)

All the songs, the poems, the short stories, the novels.  All the sculptures, paintings, impressions and casts.  The scripts, the scores, the movements and refrains.  All the rises, the sets, the clear, the clouds, the wind and calm.  The laughter, tears, the smiles and frowns.  The thoughts, the dreams, the chatter and silent glance.  The shout, the whisper, the kiss, the blow.  The daring, the caution, the champion and the overpowered.  Empty - but for one Life.

It is not in songs, sculptures, sunsets or smiles that mankind finds purpose.  Purpose is found in believing.  Believing that One Life, One Man, One God has conceived, created, loved and redeemed all things.  Pomp, props, propaganda can but make me feel better - belief makes me better.  The world tells me I am strong - the Spirit says His strength is perfect because I am weak.

I made the mistake of flipping through the channels on a Sunday morning today.  I don't know why I do it.  I am always so impressed with the presentation of some Christian media and so disappointed/turned-off by some others.  I recognize that even a poorly done testimony regarding the goodness and love of Jesus is better than none at all, but quality is not what I am talking about.  I'm talking about sanity.  The "uniforms" some of these preachers are wearing and the attempts to be so "cutting-edge" (so foolish looking and sounding sometimes).  The rings, the gold, the insignia........what is all that?? 

Please understand that I appreciate excellence and I beleive in presentation and representing the Kingdom with honor and respect, but these things that I know are intended to bring glory to men, all done in the name of glorifying Christ?  Nauseating.  Sorry - you know I say what I feel led to say here.  It's not hot, cold OR lukewarm.  It's disgusting and I abhor it.

I pray that you and I will have the wisdom to know the difference in glorifying ourselves and bringing honor to the cause of Christ.  I pray that we will be able to represent the Kingdom with respect, humility and a Spirit of love for others, pushing Christ ever higher and ourselves ever lower.  Amen.

"Meanwhile, the moment we get tired in the waiting, God's Spirit is right alongside helping us along. If we don't know how or what to pray, it doesn't matter. He does our praying in and for us, making prayer out of our wordless sighs, our aching groans. He knows us far better than we know ourselves, knows our pregnant condition, and keeps us present before God. That's why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good." (Rom. 8:26, MSG)

My father tells a story about a time when he played basketball in junior high.  He recalls that he didn't get to play much and he and his friend would sit at the end of the players' bench during the game and make jokes about it.  They would say things like, "Hey, man.  You got a nickel so I can call the coach and see if we can get in the game."  He jokingly refers to a long distance call being required because he was so far down the bench!

I can relate.  I started out in 5th grade as the waterboy.  All my friends were playing basketball and I wanted to be a part of it all.  I was a "new kid" at my school, so I didn't get selected for the team in my 5th grade year, and I took what I could get.  Eventually, somehow, someway, the coach let me start practicing with the rest of the team.  By the time I was in 7th grade, he gave me a uniform and I got to dress with the team.  By the time 8th grade rolled around, I was actually getting to play!!  I remember that being a long, hard and frustrating road - but I stuck with it.  I wanted it.  And the coach (By the way, thanks, Coach Carter!!) noticed my "dream".  He had the patience and the wherewithal to look past my inability and see my determination and desire.  Heck, I even scored a few points and had some assists - and I remember those moments like they were just yesterday.

Today, like you may feel sometimes, I feel like I need to make a long distance call to hear from the Father.  Sometimes the heavens are like brass and we believe we are far away from Him.  But The Word promises us in Romans that "God's Spirit is right alongside helping us along."  He has the ultimate ability to "look beyond our fault and find our need."  He can use us in the midst of our inability.  Just like Coach Carter, the Father can develop champions out of chumps.  Thank you, Lord! 

I listened to some old voice mails a few days ago.  Most, I delete.  But there are occasions when a message from Rhonda or one of the kids is just too good to let go.  The other day, I hit save again on just such a message from Trey, our 14-yr-old. 

We had planned to go camping one weekend last fall.  I got up early to prepare and run a couple of errands before our big departure.  William, our early riser, was awake with me.  The truck was loaded with all of our gear, but we had a few last minute supplies we needed.  So William and I headed out to the store while Trey was still asleep.

On our way back home from the store, I noticed that I had a voicemail on my cell phone.  It was from our home number.  I dialed my mailbox and Trey's very disappointed, almost tearful voice came through:  "Hey, Dad.  It's me, Trey.  I'm just wondering where you guys are, man.  I really wanted to go camping with you guys.  Um....give me a call and let me know what's going on, man.  I guess I'll talk to you later.  Bye....."  My heart broke.  He thought we had set out on the camping trip without him.  I couldn't stand for him to think that we had left him behind. 

What do you suppose some of the messages left on cell phones following the rapture will sound like?  I suspect there will be some disappointed, tearful voices asking their Christian friends and family where they are.  "Hey, I'm just wondering where you are.  There are so many people missing and I really want to talk to you.  Give me a call and let me know what's going on.  I guess I'll talk to you later.  Bye....."

You and I have the power to stop many of those calls from happening.  We know the answer to the question so many people are asking - "What is this life all about?"  It's about a personal relationship - an eternal love affair - with Jesus Christ.  If we don't share it, who will?

Lord, give us the words and the courage to speak.  Open doors of opportunity for every reader today to share his or her love for You with someone who is lost in this sea of distraction.  Holy Spirit, go ahead of us and prepare their hearts to receive, in Jesus' Name.  Amen.

"Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience." (Colossians 3:12, NIV)

If the best offense is a good defense, then is the best defense a good offense?  The Bible certainly sees it that way!  In Ephesians chapter 6, Paul talks about our Spiritual defense.  He reminds us to be sure to put on our armor before we launch out into the world each day.  That's Paul's defensive life coaching.  He even says that we should do it so we can "stand against the devil's schemes".  Sounds alot like defense to me.

It's later, in Colossians, that we get a clear picture of Paul's offensive coaching strategy.  Sure - wear your armor to defend yourself, but he instructs us to "clothe" ourselves with some good proactive, preemptive strategies as well.  Interestingly, compassion - the subject of yesterday's devotion is numero uno on Paul's offense list.  It is followed by his encouragement to be kind, to exercise humility and to be gentle and patient. 

Clearly, unlike the reality of life sometimes, defense is intended to be used for the enemy - the opponent - but offense is intended for exercise within our own ranks!!  In a basketball game (seems like a fitting sport to use to build an analogy in March!!) you defend your goal from the opponent on one end of the court, and then you attack the goal of that same opponent on the other end of the court.  Wouldn't it be wierd if during a basketball game you played defense against the opponent, but when the transition to offense happened for your team your own players came off your bench and replaced the opponent.  Can you imagine how many points you would score?!?!  You would have unlimited access to the goal!!  It would be enjoyable - not stressful.  Easy and not challenging.

HEY!!  Is Paul telling us to live like the people around us are on the same team??  What a concept!!!  Recognize who the enemy is.  Understand the difference in how it feels to face an opponent and how it feels to shoot around with folks you know and love!!!  Show the enemy your armor - your game face - but show your "teammates" the "compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience" that Christ shows us.  THAT, my friends is a win win situation!! 

“When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory.  All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats.  And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left.  Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in;  I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’
“Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink?  When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You?  Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’  And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’
“Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels:  for I was hungry and you gave Me no food; I was thirsty and you gave Me no drink;  I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, naked and you did not clothe Me, sick and in prison and you did not visit Me.’
“Then they also will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to You?’  Then He will answer them, saying, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’  And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”Matt. 25:31-46, NKJV)

I conducted an inventory this morning and I encourage you to do the same.  My words, my thoughts, my petty understandings are useless in trying to enhance the message contained in the scriptures above, but I can confess something.  Although I give to support the work of the Church, it has been more than 8 years since I personally - directly - fed someone who would otherwise be hungry, offered a cup of water to someone who has no access to the life-essential stuff, gave clothes to someone who would otherwise be naked or visited someone in jail.  I have visited a few sick people, but that has been mostly family.  What have I become?

What have we become?  I offer no accusation today - no advice.  One challenge - inventory your participation in the "go about doing good" club.  Me?  I'm an inactive member.  If I got sorted out today, I'd be lucky to be on the fence.

Lord, forgive me for abandoning You in Your needs.  Forgive me for hardening my heart and making everything else so important - how foolish!!  Transplant Your heart in my chest, Your eyes in my head, Your thoughts in my mind and Your love in my Spirit - compassion.  Compassion!!!

Find some opportunity today to minister to His heart - the hungry, the thirsty, the naked, the sick, the imprisoned - the lost, the dying, the depressed, the desperate and those who are afraid.  Give them Jesus.

"Then the churches throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and were edified. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, they were multiplied." (Acts 9:31, NKJV)

As we were driving down the road the other day, our 10-yr-old son, William blurted out, "If I were them, I wouldn't put another church so close to one that's already there.  That's kinda stupid."  Rhonda and I immediately set about trying to explain the whole denominational hierarchy.  How certain groups of people believe in or ascribe themselves to particular interpretations of the Bible or believe that the Bible teaches that some practices are required or commanded versus other denominations believing that these practices may be recommended but optional actions, rituals or beliefs.

I found myself during that conversation really struggling to come up with an answer for William that didn't sound embarassingly vague.  And although he tried to appear satisfied with our explanation, I could tell in his tone (parents out there know what I mean) that he still thought that was "kinda stupid".

And you know what?  I more than kinda agree.  What I didn't tell William is this:

"Well, son, the devil loves the fact that there is a church on every street corner.  The devil also loves the fact that there are so many groups of people out there who are in disagreement over what the Bible teaches us about the requirements for eternal life and how to live our daily earthly lives in a Christ-like fashion.  Denominations are finding themselves so wrapped up in their by-laws and their traditional rules and regalia that they've actually lost site of the Cross and the Great Commission.  We've dilluted the power of the Church - the focus on Christ and Him Crucified - and focused on the different likes, dislikes and insignificant whims of immature and Spirit-deprived church-goers who are driven by greed, confusion, petty differences of opinion and a senseless appetite for control and power."

Why didn't I spill that for William?  I wanted to protect the organization we call the church.  I didn't want to represent the people, the leadership, the concept as something negative - something wrong.  I didn't want to press him to somehow or in someway develop a disdain for the Body of Christ.

Then I read the focus scripture today from Acts 9 and it exposed even further for me where we are as a spiritual society and how much different we look than the early New Testament church.  The Church of 2010 could never be described as "(having) peace and (being) edified. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit..."  How far are we away from that?  Light years.

Moving in ignorance of this fact, the Church wonders today why we don't see the types of miracles and nationwide revivals that we read about in Acts.  I think it's simple - if we were united, standing together on the Word and focused on Christ as the center of the universe - nothing is impossible.  Are denominations evil?  No.  But are Believers, regardless of where their name appears on a membership role reaching out to a lost and dying world to impact transformation in the hearts and minds of non-believers - or have we become so focused on what we believe that we have abandoned what we should practice?  Sharing Christ's Life, Death and Resurrection Power with a lost world.  Tragically, we are at odds and the world is dying without Him.

I don't have the answer as to how we tear down denominational walls - or even if that's necessary.  I know and love folks from all denominations, but we need to "come together, right now, over.....HIM".  "You say you want a revolution?"  Maybe a a "Beatles" denomination would be good......(just a little denom humor there).....

Pray for the CHURCH today - Christ's deeply confused and troubled Bride - that we would just return to loving the Bridegroom with reckless abandon.  Amen. 

"So let's not allow ourselves to get fatigued doing good. At the right time we will harvest a good crop if we don't give up, or quit."

We skipped a garden last year.  That was one of the many indications that I was working too much.  Because we love having a garden!  Instead, as I sit here and write this morning, I can look out over our garden plot - a tangled mess of weeds and vines.  We didn't go out last Spring and trash the garden.  We just did nothing. 

As Believers, we don't intend to cut ourselves off from relationship with Christ.  It usually just "happens".  We don't set out to separate ourselves from an abundant life - we just do nothing.  And a few years later, many folks wake up in the middle of a spiritual and emotional wasteland wondering how they could have gotten so far away in such a "short" period of time.

The Abundant Life requires some effort - some tending.  The Word says that if we want to experience the "fruit of the Spirit", ....."things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity......a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people.....involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely..." (Gal. 5:22-23, MSG), we have to cultivate our relationship with The Master - The Ultimate Vinedresser - The Tree.  Then when the cold, dark days of winter come - and they WILL come - you can pull something of value off the shelf and feast - a little dash of joy, a smidgen of love and a heaping spoonful of peace!

Sure, we love working in our landscaping and it's beautiful to look at, but when you tend to something that bears fruit, your level of appreciation changes - there's more than just an aesthetic return - you can be filled.

So, how does your garden grow?

"Summing it all up, friends, I'd say you'll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse." (Philipians 4:8, MSG)

I made a commitment that I really have a tough time keeping.  No, I love my wife beyond measure and I'm faithful to her and yes, I am still running and working out in preparation for the upcoming races I've committed to run.  This is something different.  I committed that the first thing I would do every morning is worship, pray and write.

What gets me is that I sit down at the computer where there is so much other stuff to read!  Admittedly, I have a slight hint (some might say I'm being conservative) of adult ADD.  So I'm fairly easily distracted anyway.  This morning it was the news that got me.  It didn't take long to realize why I made the commitment to NOT view these types of things first.  A mother kills her newborn infant in prison bathroom and stuffs her in a trash can.  A man loved by his family is killed in a car accident on a nearby freeway.  A prominent Christian businessman is expected to plead guilty to fraud charges.  Counterfiet money order ring is exposed.  And the most distracting of all??  My cousin was attacked and stabbed and had to shoot a guy to defend himself!! 

Starting to make more sense why I committed to writing this devotion BEFORE reading the news?

Well, it does make for a prayer launching pad.  The world is full of stuff that can really bring us down from the mountain, huh?  People are hurting, scared, feeling the awful pain of guilt for wrong decisions made or experiencing grief.  There are a couple of pieces of GOOD "news".

First, there is forgiveness and peace for all of these and other situations and challenges that people are facing.  Some have already likely received that.  Others may still be holding on to something, but it is available to them and it is free.

Secondly, the Word encourages us to not meditate on these things - to not be distracted by them.  It's easy to get focused on the pain of others or even our own pain.  People make accusations, say hurtful and often untrue things about us or our family and friends.  Our nature causes us to want to lash out and get revenge - but the Spirit we've been given requires something more - a response befitting the children of a King - Grace.  And if we focus on "things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse....", it's a heck of alot easier to dish out some Grace.

If you're attacked or ridiculed or falsely accused, remember your Friend Jesus.  Like the thief on the cross, we've done some pretty stupid things, but He was blameless, spotless, innocent.  You're not walking through anything He hasn't already conquered!  So place your cares, your fears, your guilt, your anger and your "I-really-wanna-smack-that-person" gut reaction at His feet and focus on "things above" not this crap we deal with below.  And start your day with Him instead of the depressing news, dangit!

Hey, we love all of you who read this and we are praying for you daily that your joy may be full and your journey a delight!  Peace to you all!  

"Clap your hands, all you nations;
   shout to God with cries of joy." (Psalm 47:1, NIV)

I love how The Message presents this same scripture!

"Applause, everyone. Bravo, bravissimo! Shout God-songs at the top of your lungs!"

Rhonda and I took the kids to see the new "Alice in Wonderland" movie in the theater on Sunday afternoon.  Let me assure you this is NOT a movie review.  This is more of a movie-goer review.

Here's what I noticed:  People were there - small kids, teens, adults, seniors.  They bought tickets, got popcorn and ate candy.  The movie played.  They watched.  They left.

And here's the problem: The story essentially revolves around destiny - a young woman's role in a dream world saga - classic good vs. evil storyline.  The story peaks and a frail young woman gloriously defeats a terrible and ferocious dragon-like creature.  Good wins!

Crickets.

During the movie I leaned over and asked Rhonda why no one applauds in movies anymore.  What I remember are the days of "Indiana Jones" movies when entire theaters full of people stood to their feet and applauded as "Indy" barely escapes a terrible death with his life and his hat entact and the damsel in distress holding to him tightly.  We applauded, we shouted, we cheered! 

What happened??

Have we become so desensitized that the incredible no longer impresses us?  Is it that the digital manipulation secret is out and so we're less enamored than we once were when we thought it was all so "real"?

I don't know the exact answer.  All I know is that I miss the spirit of it all.  The gasps, the intensity and the jubilation at the outcome!

Now, worship.  What happened??  I used to be concerned about myself.  Growing up in a very traditional worship environment, I often wondered if I could stand to look at all those sad faces for eternity?!?!  If standing there, hymnal in hand, expressionless faces and wondering eyes and minds was what Heaven was going to be like, I wasn't so sure I could stand it.  I knew I wasn't interested in burning for eternity, but Hell comes in all shapes and sizes...:)

When I became exposed to more contemporary, Christ-centered, Spirit-filled worship, I lost my mind!!  This I could do for several million years and beyond!!  But even those churches that renewed my faith in the "worship machine" have become more sedate, less life-like than before.  Why?  I hear many people complain, but very few that offer solutions.  Just like at the movies, we've become desensitized - we've forgotten our "first Love".

How can we put the "applause" back in our worship lives?  It's to remember the purpose of worship.  Worship is something I do - whether I feel like it or not.  Whether I feel worthy to approach Christ or not.  Feeling close to God is not a prerequisite for worship - it's the product of "Spirit and Truth worship".  You show up, worship and feel the Holy Spirit run to you!  And when It does......

"Applause, everyone. Bravo, bravissimo! Shout God-songs at the top of your lungs!"

"So He Himself often withdrew into the wilderness and prayed." (Luke 5:16, NKJV)

Believe it or not - I've been following Christ's example.  That's not an excuse for having missed the last 4 days of "Michael's Daily Devotional".  It's more of an explanation.  I want the words you and I share here to be of value - not birthed out of a sense of obligation or routine.  I want us to hear from God - God-speak - not Michael-speak.  I'm quite sure you would agree with that goal!  :)

So I withdrew.  Maybe some of you have been hitting brass lately like I was a few days ago.  Not all a bed of roses is it?  Well, it's not supposed to be.  Remember the song?  "I beg your pardon, I never promised you a rose garden."  Well, it's true!  There is no promise that this journey will always be easy.  As a matter of fact, Jesus said "in the world, you WILL have tribulation."  But here's the better part - there are other promises!

As a matter of fact, it's right after Jesus tells us we're in for a wild ride that He makes one of His most encouraging and inspiring statements:  "...but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.]" (John 16:33, AMP).  How awesome is that??!!

So, I'm back.  I needed some time to reassess some Simple Simon priorities, reconnect with the Father and regroup for battle.  I'm not suggesting the world fell apart while I was away....:)  I'm just happy to be back in the saddle.  I don't like walking through this rough foreign terrain when there's a Champion Who can carry me!! 

Need to withdraw?  Don't feel weak or wrong.  If the Son needed to withdraw, how much more do His friends (He called us friends, you know?) need to pull back, step away and rekindle the flame of Hope and Love in their hearts.  Crawl up in His lap and withdraw for a few minutes.  He understands and He is waiting..... 

Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God." (Mark 10:26-27, NIV)

I hesitate to write it, because I still hate that bumper sticker!!  But I might as well get it over with.  If you think your goodness can secure eternal life for you, you're wrong.  Fact is, you could literally be the kindest, most sincere person on the face of the earth and still experience eternal death in the place Jesus called Hades.  How can that be?  Well, it's simple really.  

For all the goodness you may be capable of, you cannot overcome your flesh nature on your own.  If you could, Jesus could have skipped the Cross ordeal and just lived out His life full of blessing here on earth.  The Word says that "without the shedding of blood, there is no remission of sins." (Hebrews 9:22).  Jesus' sacrifice is what seals the deal for you and me.  Our salvation is not based upon something you or I can do.  It's about a real and close personal relationship with Him. 

So 2 things to think about:

1. Stop beating yourself up because you're not perfect.  If you're going to dislike yourself for not doing everything right, you are in for a very long and miserable life.  Instead, focus your energies on becoming more like the One Who REDEEMED you!!  Your sin debt is paid!  Now run after Christ and become more like Him every day!
2. Know how to share this with others.  Not an orator?  Not called to the pastorate, the pulpit or the mission field?  No problem!  Just be sensitive to those around you that need more and take them down the Roman Road - let The Word do the work!  Here's the map:

• Romans 3:23 - "Everyone has sinned. No one measures up to God's glory."
• Romans 6:23 - "When you sin, the pay you get is death. But God gives you the gift of eternal life because of what Christ Jesus our Lord has done."
• Romans 5:8 - "But here is how God has shown his love for us. While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."
• Romans 10:9 - "Say with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord." Believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead. Then you will be saved."
• Romans 10:13 - "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."

People will look at you and tell you that it cannot be that easy.  People in our world are just not used to anything good being free or easy to come by!  But if God is truly a loving God and truly the Creator of mankind - a loving, caring and forgiving Father - why would he make it hard??  As parents, we want our own children to enjoy happiness, success and peace - so we would never consider making it hard for them to achieve those things!  It's no different with God the Father!

Remember "The Power of 29"??  Well, there are 33 members today - we just reduced the time it will take us to win the world by several years!!!  So get out there and lay the Roman Road on somebody today!!

"neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8:39, NIV)

Oh, how He loves you and me!

Oh, how He loves you and me!

He gave His Life, what more could He give?

Oh, how He loves you!

Oh, how He loves me!

Oh, how He loves you and me!

Strength for the day. 

• When the alarm goes off at 5:30 AM - He loves you.
• When you are stressed today about your job, wondering if you will ever be free to do the things you are truly passionate about - He loves you.
• When you are afraid because the future is uncertain - He loves you.
• When you are feeling alone, distant from your spouse, your friends, your own sense of well-being - He loves you.
• When your feelings are hurt because of something said or something not said - He loves you.
• When the laundry piles up and the floors need to be cleaned - He loves you.
• When your household budget just isn't able to cut it anymore and you are wondering if you'll ever see a surplus instead of a deficit - He loves you.
• When your children are bickering as they stand in the middle of messy rooms - He loves you.
• When you forgot to make that payment - He loves you.
• When you wonder if you will ever get to take that trip or start that hobby - He loves you.
• When you finally get dinner cleaned up - He loves you.
• When you crawl into bed and finally get a break today - crawl into His arms and let His amazing Love wash over you - He loves you.

He loves you.  Oh, How He loves you.

"Fathers, don't exasperate your children by coming down hard on them. Take them by the hand and lead them in the way of the Master." (Ephesians 6:3, MSG)

Reid Elizabeth just celebrated her 3rd birthday on Sunday.  Our youngest gift from God has moved from infant, to toddler, to little girl in the blink of an eye.  I am really going to have to expedite my search for a good convent....:)  Seriously, how can time pass that quickly?

As I was reading in the book of Ephesians this morning, I was struck pretty hard by the verse above.  I think my children would agree that I'm not the most patient person in the world.  Combine that with some obsessive-compulsive behaviors and you've got a ticking bomb on your hands.  I have a certain order I like to maintain and I'm not given to letting out much slack.  I'm not terribly unreasonable in my expectations - I want the dog fed and watered, the trash NOT falling out in the floor, dirty clothes in the dirty clothes pile, toilets flushed (come on....), no shoes in the house and NO FOOD EXCEPT IN THE KITCHEN!!!!  Oh yeah....and whatever you get out, you put back in the same place when you're finished with it.  Now how hard can that be for a 3-year-old to understand and apply??  :)  Apparently, it's equally hard at 10 & 14, because the boys still don't get it completely!!

Anyway, Ephesians got me thinking about what kind of parenting I'm modeling for my children.  Are they seeing Christ in my words and my actions when they are not totally compliant with my wishes, my quirks and my countless and strange idiosyncrasies?  As is too often the case on this website - I have to admit I fall short on this one - big time.  Although the WWJD slogan seems like just some simple little acronym that's cool for little kids and youth groups to wear on their wrists, I should have it permanently tattooed on my forehead!!  It's not a difficult concept to grasp, it's just so hard to put into practice in every area and every single minute of our lives! 

But what if we can harness that in all the different facets of our lives?  "What Would Jesus Do?"  Would He ever yell at His children?  Would He ever belittle His own flesh and blood?  Would He let them eat outside the kitchen???  Would He take time to jump on the trampoline??  Would He play more basketball??  Would He always pray before meals and at time for "tuck in"?  What kind of father or mother would He be??  Would He require "yes sir!"?  Or would you hear the sweetest, "Yes, Daddy.....because You love me so much."?  Yeah....that's obedience.

I'll put it in here again.....

"Fathers, don't exasperate your children by coming down hard on them. Take them by the hand and lead them in the way of the Master." (Ephesians 6:3, MSG)

"God's trees are well-watered..." (Psalm 104:14, MSG)

I saw a beautiful cedar tree yesterday by the side of the road.  It was small, but perfectly shaped and stretching for the sun.  It was one of those tress that you just know has the potential to be huge - a real landmark.  Birds can find a place to rest on its branches and its shade could protect the weary traveler.  There's only one problem with this tree - it's growing out of a cliff about 30-40 feet above the ground.

The little tree is growing on a ledge of a straight vertical rock face.  Soli has collected on the ledge and there is a trickle of water that feeds the space and gives the tree the life-giving sustenance it needs to flourish - even in the midst of the cold hard rock.  The beauty of life in an otherwise barren and hostile environment.

Sound familiar?  You and I - Believers - far away from our Spiritual home.  Good seed on rocky ground.  So how do we stay rooted?  How can we prosper here and be blessed?  How do we overcome our circumstances - our position - in order to live long and happy lives filled with a sense of accomplishment and contribution?  Well, just like the tree growing out of that cliff face, we don't need much, but there are some basic requirements.

First, we need soil.  We need a source of nutrition.  You don't have to read an entire book of the Bible every day to get the nourishment you need.  But you do need to spend time in God's Word to get the nourishment you need to make it through a challenging day of wind, rain and the other tough stuff that the world throws at us while we're hanging out on this rock.

Secondly, you need the Life Giving Water, that Spring Eternal - relationship with the Author of Never-Thirst-Again - Jesus.  If you want to survive on the cliff face, you've got to spend time in communion with Father, Son and Spirit.  And remember, communion is a TWO-WAY conversation.  Sure, let your Father know what you need, but don't fail to LISTEN.  God speaks when we listen.  It may not always be with thunder or a bolt of lightning.  And I can assure you it will not always be exactly waht we want to hear.  But He speaks.  And that's where we draw that precious substance we need to stay hydrated and healthy in the midst of even the most desolate places.

I'll ba passing that tree again today.  As I do, I'll be praying for you, reader.  Praying that all of us little trees down here will get connected to the Source of Strength and Power and become a mighty forest for the Kingdom of God as we pass through!

"Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we're in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now he's there, in the place of honor, right alongside God." (Hebrews 12:2, MSG)

Some of you may have noticed a couple of chinks in the old devotional armor over the course of the last few days.  Maybe it's because we're busy with birthday parties, work obligations and basic "life management" (unfortunately, not a course any colleges offer:)).  Maybe it's because we're getting so close to the halfway mark toward a 365-day Daily Devotions book - one of the many objectives here.  Or maybe it's because we've been very focused on spiritual warfare this week and there have been a couple of days when I felt like I was losing!  At any rate, we're back on track.  God is awesome and we are victorious!

Today, I began writing about Samson, but during the entire time I was writing, I was singing a hymn in my mind.  I didn't realize it at first, but then I stopped writing for a minute, looked out the window at the falling snow and began to form the words with my lips and sing quietly:

"Turn your eyes upon Jesus

Look full in His wonderful face

And the things of earth will grow strangely dim

In the light of His Glory and Grace."

That's really what it's all about isn't it?  While the storm raged around Peter, as long as his eyes were fixed on Jesus, he was walking on water - the impossible became possible. 

I suspect I'm not the only one whose been hanging on for dear life this week.  But be encouraged in your understanding that God is still in control and Christ is making intercession for you right now.  The activity in the Throne Room of Heaven never stops.  He's petitioning the Father on your behalf.  He is fulfilling His Priestly duties and reminding the Father of His Sacrifice - that sweet offering.  We are not fighting - He is.  We don't have to win - He did.

Keep your mind stayed on things above and your eyes focused on Him.

"Holy brothers and sisters, God chose you to be his people. So keep thinking about Jesus." (Hebrews 3:1, NIRV)

The Word of the Lord:

Come away with me.  Come up to the high mountain of your heart and commune with me.  Break away from the Earth which I created, the flesh that taunts you, trying to pick a fight with you, and rest in Me.  I have become your Bulwark - a Mighty Wall which no enemy can scale, a Strong Tower of Refuge the heights of which no evil can ascend.  While the battle rages below, you and I gather together.  The table does not shake and our seats do not falter.  Angels serve us in the midst of beautiful grasses while the sun which I created warms our faces and the winds which I, the Lord, Your God draw from distant lands gently move across our mouths.  We are at rest.  I will speak to you of things above - of Wisdom and Grace, of Love and Mercy.  I will raise you up in the tender moment, in the silence of our meeting place.  The world is gone and I AM.  I have made the tongue to speak, the mind to know, the heart to comprehend, the Spirit to move you from place to place.  These things that I have done cannot be undone.  Do I hear the sounds of battle?  I cannot hear the cries of the defeated, but the horns and the shouts of the Children of Victory, for they have defeated Our enemies while We dine and feast in comfort.  What is evil that We would concern Ourselves with it? 

Amen.

"I have made a vow to the LORD and I can't take it back." (Judges 11:35, MSG)

I'm struggling to be inspired by today's reading in Judges.  First Abimelech kills 69 of his brothers in order to become the leader of his city.  Then he sets a tower on fire - that just happens to be filled with 1,000 men, women & children.  He finally gets his skull split open when a woman drops a large stone on his head from atop another tower he intends to burn!  Abimelech was a peach.

There were a couple of Judges that came after Abimelech, but very little is known about their rules.  Tola and then Jair ruled for a total of nearly fifty years, but we know really nothing beyond that.  In light of the previous judge's behavior, maybe the probability that their time in charge was relatively uneventful is a good thing!!

Then - Jephthah.  The illegitimate son of Gilead and a prostitute.  Hated by his half-brothers.  Shunned from any inheritance.  But.....there's that word we see associated with all givers.....He served God.  The Living God of his fathers.  So when Israel was under the threat of attack from the Ammonites, who did they call?  Not Ghostbusters - Jephthah and his ragtag bunch of friends he had made while living as a fugitive over in Tob.  Jephthah says, "Wait a minute!  You're the same people that hated me because of my messed up family tree and now you want me to lead your army?  To be your highest ranking official?"  And they responded, "Yep - you'll be the head of all of us."  "You sure about this?", Jephthah inquired a second time.

"Absolutely," came the reply.

So Jephthah forms his army and sends a message to the Ammonites asking them why they want to pick a fight with a group of people who have never wronged them.  Even when the Israelites came out of Egypt and needed to pass through the land of the Moabites and the Amorites, they asked permission.  When turned away, they respected the wishes of those people and went around those areas, only fighting when they were attacked for no reason!

But the Ammonites weren't up for a history lesson and they prepared to make war on Israel.  Jephthah forms his troops and makes a vow to God.  He commits to God that in exchange for victory, he will sacrifice the first thing that greets him when he returns home. 

Here's where it gets tough - he wins.  And his daughter runs from his home to greet him, tambourines, dancing, the whole celebration thing.  Uh-oh.

I have 3 kids.  I can't even begin to imagine it.  But Jephthah - AND HIS DAUGHTER - recognize the sacred vow and she only asks for a "girls couple-of-months-out" before she willingly gives her life in honor of her father's vow.  Wow.

Here are some lessons:

• God can use anyone.

If he could use Jephthah, the son of a prostitute, hated by all his family, He can use you.

• God hears our requests.

God heard Jephthah and granted him victory, but the sacrifice he promised was required of him.  Be careful what you commit to God.  You and I know that God could have won the victory without some desperate measure like human sacrifice, but Jephthah laid it out there and it was required of him.

• God expects all.

Once you've committed something to God - say...your LIFE.....He expects you to give all of it.  Oh sure, you can leave your commitment unattended, but eventually your disobedience will cost you dearly.  Not because God is out to get us, but rather because, as Christians, we need to stay connected to The Vine or we place at sincere risk our healthy connection to The One from Whom we draw our strength and receive our covering.  You can't just say all - you must GIVE all.

"Gideon son of Joash did it." (Judges 6:29, NIV)

The lowest dude on the totem pole in the smallest tribe of Israel - a nation now terrorized by the Midianites much like the ants in the movie "A Bug's Life".  Gideon would not have been my choice and I dare say he wouldn't have been yours either.  And, as a matter of fact, Gideon would agree!  He didn't think he was a good choice either.  Gideon admitted his tribe was weak and so was he. 

So when the Angel of the Lord showed up to encourage Gideon to lead an attack on the Midianites, Gideon was taken a bit aback.  He initially lacked the Faith to move on God's command alone.  We read of the fleece test in Judges 6 where God proves to Gideon that He is, indeed, God and Gideon immediately sets about doing the work he was born to do.

Gideon destroys the altar of Baal where his father and the rest of his town have been worhshipping.  God instructs him to build an appropriate altar and to sacrifice one of his father's bulls to God on the new altar.  When he complies and the town investigates we hear the first roadblock to Gideon's success - "Gideon did it."  Can you relate?  I can.

I was called to ministry when I was 18, but being from a middle-class family living in a small town, I wondered how God could use me to impress anyone!!  It took me a long time to figure out that people would never be impressed with me - and they weren't supposed to be!  I'm just supposed to be obedient and share Christ - and He is impressive all by Himself!  When Gideon stopped trying to sort it all out in his weak mind, God was able to use him in mighty ways.

When Gideon forms his army, from the surrounding cities and neighboring tribes, he begins to gain some confidence.  Gideon must have thought, "32,000 men.  Hmmm.......that's pretty good.  We may win this thing after all."  But just as Gideon's confidence begins to rule the day, God shook things up a bit.  He took away the strength in numbers.  31,700 of his 32,000 men are eliminated from participation in the battle.  Gideon must have looked that the small band of 300 "pinky-raised-tea-cup-drinkers" that were left and thought, "What have I done??"

Maybe you've heard the quote "Make your plans large enough so that if God is not in them, you know they will fail!"  Gideon was living that dream!!  Gideon knew that there was no way 300 men could go it alone and make it work!  But he trusted God, put all on the line and won the victory easily.  That's the way God works!

So what has God asked you to do?  Do you feel like you're not the best choice for that job?  Well, you've joined the first tier ranks of heroes like Moses and Gideon.  So welcome to God's land of misfit toys!  You're in good company!  And if you are willing to give all, in spite of the challenges and the fear you will face, He can bring about unbelievable victories in every area of your life. 

Will you get tired?  Gideon and his men did.  Will you feel alone sometimes"  Gideon and his men were turned away at a couple of different cities when they needed rest and nourishment.  Can you still win?  "Gideon, son of Joash, did it!"  And SO CAN YOU!!!  Give all.

"How can a young man keep his way pure?
   By living according to your word." (Psalm 119:9, NIV)

William is 10 years old today.  Double digits.  The BIG 1-0.  10.  Ten.  Where were we 10 years ago?  Totally dependent upon God for a miracle.

William was born with only about 20% lung capacity.  He had terrible difficulty breathing that we noticed immediately after he was born.  The doctors and nurses there at the hospital where he was born tried very hard to disguise their panic, but the decision was made to chopper him out to the UK neo-natal care clinic.  His first helicopter ride.  Our worst nightmare.

Rhonda, forced to stay behind after having just given birth and me driving to Lexington - into the storm.  How could we be apart right now?  God's love surrounded us.

I arrive at the hospital - waiting in the hallway outside the critical care unit.  After an eternity, I am allowed to speak with doctors.  Their message is not one offering hope.  They tell me he is going to die.  That they have seen kids much less sick die.  Prepare yourself.  "Give me anything - a 5% chance", I say.  They look at me with sympathy and shake their head no.  God's love surrounded us.  I say, "Do what you can and watch my God do the rest. He will live and not die.  He will be a running, soccer playing fool."  I walk confidently into the hallway and fall to the floor.  My world spinning, only God's promises keeping me afloat in the raging sea.  God's love surrounded us.

William's condition improved so much overnight that the doctors were perplexed.  How did he go from 20% lung capacity to 80% in just a few short hours?  Fast Forward - 10 days later, the lead doctor for that unit came to us and said these words, "Get him out of here.  We don't understand how, but take him home."  No list of medications, no instructions for his long term care.  Nothing.  Healed.  God's love surrounded us.

Today, the number of days has become years.  We continue to celebrate William's life and we continue to celebrate the Life Giver!  His Name is Jesus!  And God's love surrounds us.

Happy Birthday, William!  Live it to the full.

" The people volunteered with abandon,
  bless God!" (Judges 5:2, MSG)

I have to admit.  I was beginning to develop a complex.  I was nearing the point that I knew I might lose some female readers!  These men - these all givers I've been writing about!  What about the women in the Bible??  Is Michael a chauvinist??  This is a raw deal!

Easy, now.  Until we get to Judges and beyond in the Old Testament, we really hear very little about the women involved in these stories.  Here's what we do know:

The women of the Old Testament were amazing!  We don't have to know their names to understand how God used the women of Israel (and those non-Hebrew women like Rahab) to bring about the survival and the conquering glory of His people - Israel.  The feats the men performed that we read of in the Pentatuch could be recorded in volumes that are not too massive to read.  How many volumes would have to be produced to record the wonders of the women of that time?!?!?  Like was said of Christ's life - "the world itself could not contain he volumes."  It is clear that Eve (minus that one pretty sizeable blooper....:)), Emzara (tradtional name given to Noah's wife who was Methuselah's granddaughter), Sarah, Rebekah, Rachel, Zipporah (Moses' wife) and Miriam were stronger than strong.  They were the backbone of a nation!  And where would we be without their willingness to give all?  None of us really want to think about that.

So today, let's stop and honor the women of the Old Testament for their contribution to the heritage of Faith that you and I are supplanted in today.  Take time today to thank God for the sacrifices they made, the surrender they performed and the wisdom with which they honored God.  They were the ultimate all givers.  They raised armies of warriors and fierce and mighty leaders that represented a nation chosen by God to be His convenant people - set apart for all eternity - His children.  In the Spirit, you and I are partakers in the New Covenant - sealed with the Blood of Jesus - His Bride, the Church, the Redeemed.  And He chose some pretty special people to adorn the path - women of courage, strength and unwavering Faith!

Thank you, ladies!!!

"....I could not do anything great or small to go beyond the command of the LORD my God." (Numbers 22:18, NIV)

We're a wild bunch around our house.  A couple of nights ago, we really let loose.  The entire family gathered in front of the big screen to watch the Westminster Dog Show.  What a crazy time!!  Good times.  Fun times.  Oh yeah....that's a party scene alright.  You gotta exercise caution with that kind of excitement - so you don't feel bad about yourself in the morning, ya know?  You can - simply - have too much fun.  :)

Okay, we're fairly sedate.  It might help to know that in the background there are usually drums, guitars and kids singing into microphones to help in interrupting the occasional calm that overtakes us during a good dog show viewing!  Not as quiet as one might think!  But we love just being together - it works for us.

Anyway, during the Westminster show the other night, they had a really quite funny commercial that played.  The commercial was promoting helathy teeth for dogs.  It showed some pictures of dogs just sitting there and then they digitally imposed these beautiful, very white human-like smiles!  At this, we all burst out laughing simultaneously.  The commercial played again a few minutes later and the laughter was even louder!  It was just too out of place and so funny.  I know - we're easily amused, but it was hilarious.

Reading about Balaam and his talking donkey this morning reminded me of those smiling dogs.  When Balak, King of the Moabites summons Balaam to come and curse the Israelites who were becoming too great in number for comfort, Balaam listened to God and went up to the Moabites.  Even though Balaam was offered great reward from the Moabite King if he would come and perform this curse ceremony, Balaam was very reluctant - even saying he would not curse the Israelites if he was offered the king's palace filled with gold and silver!  But the Lord told Balaam to go and say whatever he was instructed to say by God.  So Balaam loaded up on his donkey and set out.

God sent an Angel to oppose Balaam's path, but the donkey recognized danger in the path and took a detour several times to avoid it.  Each time, Balaam, not understanding the donkey's behavior, beat on the donkey, punishing it for straying from the path.  Finally, the donkey has had enough and it just sits down with Balaam still sitting on top of it!  Then something really funny happens.  Balaam starts beating the donkey with his staff and the donkey says, "What have I done to make you beat me?"  Balaam answers, "You've made a fool out of me!  If I had a sword, I'd kill you right now!"  Balaam doesn't skip a beat!  He's so upset with the donkey that he doesn't even realize that he's having a conversation with the animal!!  Then the Angel reveals itself to Balaam and explains that the donkey was actually trying to save Balaam from danger.  Balaam collects himself and continues on his journey.

Ultimately, he surrenders himself completely to the direction of God and blesses the Israelites instead of cursing them.  Interestingly, this happens three times - the same number of times that Balaam beat the donkey.  God shows us that Balaam could only speak what God told him to speak - Balaam is not in control of his own tongue - and neither is the donkey.  Balaam comes to realize that God is in complete control of everything - including talking donkeys - and Balaam is reduced to nothing more than a mouthpiece speaking on behalf of God  just like the donkey.  Pretty humbling, huh?

I know this seems like a break in the "all" series, but these stories are just too compelling to skip over.  There are so many lessons in this one that I could write about it for weeks!  But I'll stop here and say this final thing:

In order to be an all giver, we must recognize our place in the hierarchy of God's Kingdom.  We've been reading of Moses, who, although communing daily with God and having been selected by God to lead His Holy Nation, is documented to have been the "most humble man on the earth."  All givers recognize that only by the Grace of God are they more highly esteemed than a talking donkey.  Givng all of ourselves means turning over all the pride - all the credit for the great things that are being accomplished in our lives and ministries - to the One Who makes all things possible.  He is our source of strength, our hope, our Deliverer!  He alone is worthy to receive all honor and glory and power, forever and ever.  Amen!

Give Him your all today! 

"But because my servant Caleb has a different spirit and follows me wholeheartedly, I will bring him into the land he went to, and his descendants will inherit it." (Numbers 14:24, NIV)

"You can do it, waterboy!"  Spend any time around me at all and you'll hear that line from the movie Waterboy.  I don't have alot of original material, but around our house you will hear a bunch of movie lines.  This is evidence that we watch way too many movies and watch way too much television around our house.  We're working on that.

When I read about Caleb this morning, I couldn't squelch that "waterboy" line from coming out!  Caleb was a "can do" kind of guy.  The Tony Robbins of 1400 B.C.!

When the scouting report came back from the land that had been promised to Moses and the Children of Israel, everyone seemed afraid - these people were bigger, stronger and more skilled in warfare than the Hebrews.  But not everyone was afraid - or at least Caleb didn't show it!  He said, "We can do it, waterboy!"  Okay, it was more like, "We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it." (Num. 13:30)  At any rate, Caleb believed with his entire being that the Promises of God were something you could stake your life on - these were things worth giving your all for.  Caleb, friend of Joshua, a survivor, skilled in warfare, awarded land (along with only Joshua) upon their arrival in the Promised Land. 

Of all of his exploits, the most amazing thing to be said about Caleb?  The Bible uses the terminology several times regarding Caleb - and God says it best, "my servant Caleb has a different spirit and follows me wholeheartedly."  A different spirit.  Wholeheartedly.  Completely sold out.  Radical man with a name that means something like "raging with canine madness"!!  The master of 15th century positive thinking.  One of the elite among......all givers.  Caleb.

"Aaron will always bear the means of making decisions for the Israelites over his heart before the LORD." (Ex. 28:30, NIV)

Moses and Aaron.  I stopped counting the times that these two names appear in Exodus together.  Moses pleaded with the Lord that he could not speak well and God, in true God fashion, had an answer that disarmed Moses' attempts to NOT be the leader to represent the Israelites and speak to Pharoah.  "What about your brother, Aaron?" (Ex. 4:14).....as a matter of fact, even as God spoke those words, Aaron was already on his way to see Moses!  God knows what we need in order to fulfill his calling in our lives!  Whatever obstacle you believe would stand in the way of your all giving - know that the God that created you and the universe around you already thought of that!!!  If He calls you He will equip you!  He's God!!

Back to Aaron.....

When I think of Aaron, I can only see his face, looking at Moses with this ghastly expression as if to say, "You want me to say what?!?!?"  Aaron had some kind of more than amazing faith!  He was hearing from his brother what God wanted Pharoah to hear - and he just repeated it - verbatim.  This is blind and bold faith!

And Aaron's all giving didn't stop there.  While in the wilderness, Aaron had the responsibility to lead the people while Moses went off to the top of the mountain to commune with God.  Again, I can only see Aaron's face!  There he is, his neck permanently fixed in a "looking up" position because here he is - having to deal with all the problems, while Moses gets to spend time with God!  The Hebrew nation is becoming restless, they believe God has abandoned them, they believe Moses is dead - and honestly, you can only hear things so often before you begin to believe them!  Aaron tries to appease them - tries to give them some things they want.  Moses comes down the mountain, sees the children of Israel dancing before a golden calf statue and goes off!  Aaron had to be thinking, "If you had just let us know you were alive, that might have been helpful!  Pretty easy there, brother, to roll down off the mountain of God and point out all the errors!  Where were you a few weeks ago, man???"

Aaron had a tough gig. 

In spite of some of the frustration he experienced, Aaron was faithful in giving all to aid in the fulfillment of the promises of God to the Hebrew people.  We know of his righteousness, because he became the only person that could enter the "Holy of Holies" and live to tell about it.  There, it was his turn to spend time with God while Moses stayed outside and dealt with the national issues!

What is your role in the continuing ministry of Christ?  Are you up for an award like Aaron was - nominated for "Best Actor in a Supporting Role in an Epic Saga"?  Aaron's life reflects a spectacular truth - you don't have to be the Senior Pastor or the worship leader or the chairman of some board to effect change in the world for Christ!  You can be an all giver from a position of support!  You can fulfill priestly duties like intercessory prayer, managing church business, actively participating in worship - all without having to be the "upfront" guy.  

Find your Aaron groove and get moving in your calling!!  Give all!!

".....the Lord said to Joshua.....be strong and courageous.....for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." (Joshua 1:1-9, NIV)

Joshua bursts onto the Old Testament scene in Exodus 17 - and then we hear very little about him for quite some time!  Here's his entrance - a bit part in the Moses saga - "Moses said to Joshua, "Choose some of our men and go out to fight the Amalekites. Tomorrow I will stand on top of the hill with the staff of God in my hands." (Exodus 17:8, NIV)

Later on, we read that Joshua is referred to as "Moses' aide" and Joshua travels up to the top of the mountain of God with Moses to have a personal encounter with the Creator of the Universe.  Eventually, as Moses recognizes that the end of his life is nearing, God driects him to appoint Joshua as the leader of the Israelite nation in the wilderness and appoints him as the one who will ultimately lead them into the Promised Land.

Beyond his military exploits and his leadership of the Children of Israel in the wilderness, we can know that because of his favor with Moses and his favor with God, Joshua was a diehard, completely sold out, wild and radical all giver!  His entire life was devoted to serving God and leading God's people.  When no one else could be counted on to volunteer for a dangerous mission, Joshua stepped forward.  When no one else returned, Joshua returned in the safety and protection of God's Own Hand.  When no one else was allowed to go up the mountain into the presence of God, Joshua was asked to tag along.  And when Moses didn't get to cross over into the Promised Land with the rest of the Hebrew nation, Joshua led the triumphant charge! 

Joshua was an all giver extraordinaire.

"And Moses said, 'Here I am.'" (Exodus 3:4, NIV)

Abandoned infant.  Egyptian imposter.  Murderer.  Fugitive from justice.  Egypt's most wanted.  Hired hand.  Speech impaired.  Low self-esteem.

When you think about who you would select to save a nation from the horrors of slavery in a foreign land, doesn't someone who fits the description above seem like the logical candidate?

In a word - NO.  This is hardly the list of qualifications you might see required were the position to be posted on monster.com or "the ladders"!!

But that's who God chose to lead his people from captivity in Egypt out to the land that had been promised in covenant with Abraham.  Why?  Because God knows us better than the world knows us.  He sees our potential - not our mistakes.  He created us, knew us before we were "formed in the womb" and He alone can spot an "all giver" from 1000 years away!

And Moses did, indeed, fit the bill.  He overcame his frightening set of credentials to become the fearless, miracle performing leader of millions of Hebrew refugees - Commander-In-Chief of the armies of Israel, established the letter of the Law and saw God pass by with his own eyes!

Think it's too late for you?  Here's another cool fact.  Moses was 40 years old when that Burning bush burst into flames for no reason and began speaking to him about his mission in life!  He spent the first 40 years of his life being shaped into something God could use and the next 40 years fulfilling his life's purpose!

What is your Moses project???  Are you ready to serve?  Are you willing to give all?

Remove your shoes - you're on Holy Ground - and you're in for one wild ride!!

"His brothers then came and threw themselves down before him. "We are your slaves," they said.

But Joseph said to them, "Don't be afraid. Am I in the place of God?  You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.  So then, don't be afraid. I will provide for you and your children." And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them.' (Genesis 50:18-21, NIV)

In continuing my reading in Genesis this morning, I realized that I could spend the rest of the year just writing about Joseph!  What a ROCK STAR!!  If you haven't read the entire account of Joseph's journey - every word from start to finish - do it NOW!  I am so encouraged by his wisdom, his compassion, his devotion to family, his commitment to duty, his burning desire to exercise mercy, grace, forgiveness - the real deal - not forgiveness for the sake of being able to tell folks you forgave someone (everyone reading this knows exactly what I mean).

Honestly, I am struggling to see the screen as I write.  I am overwhelmed at the evidence of the Power of God demonstrated in the life of Joseph.  Here's what I want each reader to do today:

You will watch ballgames, you will have phone conversations, you will shop, you will eat, you will drink.  You will clean, you will take out the trash and you will spend time with family and friends.  But the Lord is telling me that He has a real blessing in store for those who will honor Him today by the reading of His Word beginning in Genesis Chapter 37 and reading to the end of that Book.  Yep - 14 chapters of Genesis.  I assure you that you will not regret it and I believe that God is going to change lives - like he has mine already this morning - through the story of Joseph and his devotion to God.

Does this sound crazy to you right now?  It won't after you read - trust me - trust God's Spirit call on this one.  When you are done reading and you've had a chance to thank God for revealing this to us today, feel free to follow up with an e-mail to me or comments on the website guestbook section to let me know how powerful this was for you!!  I pray God's blessings upon you as you read His Word today. 

"...the LORD was with Joseph and gave him success in whatever he did." (Gen. 39:23, NIV)

Joseph.  Hated by his brothers.  Sold into slavery.  Accosted by his master's wife.  Wrongly accused of violence and immorality.  Imprisoned in a dungeon for two years.  Abandoned and forgotten by those he treated fairly.

Hmmm......makes the scripture above take on the credibility of a tabloid magazine headline, doesn't it?  At first glance, Joseph's life seems anything but successful!  Here's the "But God..." part.

Joseph was an all giver.  He wasn't wooed or swayed by his circumstances.  Hated by his brothers, he was still faithful to his father's wishes to go and tend to their needs as they managed the flocks.  Sold into slavery, he was faithful to his master's needs.  Wrongly accused and imprisoned, he became the jailer's right hand man because Joseph could be trusted to handle everything that was put before him honestly and wisely.  Given the chance to use his gift of interpreting dreams, he was faithful and careful to give God the glory for the wisdom he had been given.  When given authority over the entire nation of Egypt - second in command to Pharoah only - he prospered a nation and ensured its survival through 7 years of famine.  Finally, when given the opportunity to avenge the fate the world would have believed to have been dealt him by that band of foolish brothers, he exercised mercy and saved them from starvation and death and brought them from a barren and destitute land into his house of plenty.

Whew!  Think life is throwing you a few curve balls?  Feeling like you just can't get a break in life?  Been treated unfairly?  I don't think Joseph feels sorry for us!!!

When you're an all giver - sold out to the cause of Christ - even in the midst of tough times you rise above.  You aren't impacted by circumstances.  Instead, you are fed from within by the Spirit of God in your life and you OVERCOME!  You stay the course - never doubting that God is in complete control.  Understanding that He is at work in your life in the valleys just as actively as when you reach those mountaintop experiences.  That's faith.  That's supernatural.  That's all.

I began reading about Joseph today and eventually ended up in Psalms (I skipped a few pages to get there...:))  Anyway, I felt very compelled to take a break from the "all" series and share the scripture in Psalm 104 that I read earlier today.  No commentary.  Nothing to add.  What more could I say about the absolute awesomeness of our God?  Enjoy!

"If God will be with me......then the LORD will be my God." (Genesis 28:20-21, MSG)

Jacob was alot of things.  He was an ankle-grabbing twin.  He was a manipulator.  He was a deceptive imposter (aided and abedded by his mother).  And quite honestly, compared to his brother Esau, Jacob was a wimp.  In spite of all these things, Jacob was one other thing - Jacob was an all giver.  He was also renamed Israel - and he became a great nation as had been declared through covenant promise from God to his grandfather so many years before.

Being an all giver for Jacob came naturally.  He had descended from the long list of all givers we've been covering, but even in fleshly terms, Jacob went all out!  When he wanted to achieve something, nothing dissuaded him.  When he wanted the birthright, he first used a simple bowl of soup offered to his famished brother and then put on an "Oscar-winning" performance posing as his brother to receive his father's blessing - attaining the birthright through trickery.  That not enough to qualify him?  Get this - He worked for his uncle for 7 years in order to be able to marry his cousin Rachel - his uncle's youngest daughter - only to find out that the custom required that he marry the oldest daughter first!  So what did Jacob do?  He put up another 7 years of indentured servitude to get what he wanted!  And he finally got Rachel!!  This guy was the epitome of "stick-to-it-ive-ness"!!  Still not enough?  Jacob wresteld with an angel!  The match went on all night because the "ankle-grabbing" impetuously persistent Jacob refused to let go until the angel had blessed him!!  He would not give up!

Jacob stopped at almost nothing to achieve success in his earthly situations.  Most importantly, he also stopped at nothing when it came to his Spirit-Life.  Jacob was sold out to God.  As we read about Jacob's life, we see countless examples of God speaking and Jacob doing.  Blind obedience.  Reckless abandon in the pursuit of God's heartbeat and life cadence.

Are you by nature, an all giver?  Are you passionate in your pursuits in life?  Are you a hard worker, a faithful spouse, a protective parent or a person of uncompromising principles?

If any of these apply, God can do incredible things through you.  You were not given these attributes for the purpose of achieving greatness in the flesh!  You were given these gifts that you might serve your Creator well - to outdo yourself Spiritually!  Not perfect? - not a problem.  The Word tells us that "all have sinned and fallen short" right?  But just like Jacob, we can - through the power of Jesus Christ in our lives and through the power of personal relationship with the Father through Jesus - overcome our faults, our missteps and our problems.  We can become Spiritual all givers.  

"Isaac prayed to the LORD......The LORD answered his prayer." (Genesis 25:21, MSG)

Isaac got it, didn't he?  He didn't grow up in a casual religious environment.  He grew up in a home where His father walked with God, and Isaac, in turn, learned to walk with God.  His walking with God is demonstrated in Genesis 25 when he asks for something from God and he gets it.  We find Isaac pressing in for his barren wife that she might conceive.  And conceive she did - twins.  God doesn't do anything half-way does He? 

I can just imagine Isaac as a little boy, outside a tent, hearing the prayers of his own father being lifted up to Yahweh, Jehovah, Almighty God.  I can smell the incense, I see the smoke, I can smell the burning flesh of the sacrifice laid upon the altar - atonement - the sweet aroma of freedom from guilt and shame.

Isaac learned pretty early in life about the willingness to give all in the pursuit of the God-Life.  When Abraham was obedient to God when directed to sacrifice Isaac on the top of a mountain, we don't read of any struggle.  Isaac asks a good question, "Where is the lamb for the burnt offering?"  But when he realizes that he is the intended sacrifice, he is obedient to his Father and willingly lays his life upon the altar.  He trusts fully in his father's direction and gives himself completely to his will.  Sound like anyone you know?  Yes, Isaac is certainly a Christ-type.  Most definitely an all-giver.

Who are you placing your trust in today?  What are you willing to lay down in obedience to your Heavenly Father?  Are you trusting Him fully - believing that whatever destiny He is calling you to fulfill is simply His plan for your life unfolding beautifully before you?  Are you giving all?

"Leave your country, your family, and your father's home for a land that I will show you." (Genesis 12:1, MSG)

"Take your dear son Isaac whom you love and go to the land of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering..." (Genesis 22:2, MSG)

The Founding Father of the People of God.  That's the title earned by Abraham for giving his all.  Because of his obedience to God, he became the first Patriarch.  The Father of Faith.  And he got there by living his life perfectly before God, right?  Okay, maybe that's a little much - maybe it wasn't exactly perfect.  Wait, maybe it was a real mess at times!  Yeah, that's more like it.

While Abraham had great faith and deep relationship with God the Father, he had a few missteps along the way as well.  He lied and passed off Sarah as his sister when they traveled to Egypt during a time of famine.  He really didn't believe God when he was told Sarah, his then 90 year old barren wife, would bear him a son to be his heir - so he slept with her maidservant and fathered Ishmael.  And, quite frankly, Abraham was a bit "pestering" with his negotiations to save the evil cities of Sodom and Gommorah from annihilation.

But his faithfulness and his willingness to sacrifice all in the pursuit of God's Spiritual blessing ultimately far outweighed the errors committed in the flesh.  He left home and country to follow the promise of God for a land where his descendants would outnumber the stars.  He did receive the promised miracle offspring who became his heir and who ultimately would father the man out of which would come the 12 Mighty Tribes of Israel.  And at one point in his life, Abraham's obedience to God was tested to the point of the loss of that precious promise when God told him to sacrifice his son on a mountain top altar.  Abraham just did it.  We don't even see where he questioned why - he just did it.  Nike's got nothing on Abraham's commitment to "just do it".

Abraham's obedience and willingness to give all brought about the fulfillment of the Covenant Promise of God in his life:

"I'll make you a great nation
  and bless you.
 I'll make you famous;
  you'll be a blessing.
 I'll bless those who bless you;
  those who curse you I'll curse.
 All the families of the Earth
  will be blessed through you." (Genesis 12:2-3, MSG)

And we are, indeed!  Blessed beyond our wildest imagination!  Joint heirs with Christ, spiritual offspring of the Tribe of Judah!!  

What promise do you have from God?  How will your willingness (or lack thereof) to give all impact the generations that may follow you?  You may have had some missteps, but we understand that these are not disqualifiers in the eyes of God.  Stop living with the condemnation that man chooses to apply to our mistakes and begin living in the freedom of forgiveness purchased for you with the Lifeblood of the Lamb of God!

And give all in return. 

"But Noah was different. God liked what he saw in Noah." (Genesis 6:8, MSG)

The world was evil.  But Noah was different.  The world was following the "if it feels good, do it" philosophy.  But Noah was different.  The world had turned their back on the Creator.  But Noah was different.  The world was full of violence and crime.  But Noah was different.  The world was devoid of morality.  But Noah was different.  The world was corrupt.  But Noah was different.  The world was just like it is today.  But we are..............................

What?  Different?  How?  I'm not talking about some type of legalistic differentiation - my skirt or my sleeves or my hair is longer or shorter than yours.  I'm not talking about the difference between hymns with accompaniment or without.  I'm not talking about the KJV versus the NIV or the NLT versus The Message.  I'm not talking about Catholic versus Protestant.  I'm not talking about Black versus White. 

I'm talking about Blood-bought Spirit-and-Truth-filled worshippers who are sold out to the cause of the Cross and that understand that we are Spiritual beings on a physical journey versus the world's concept of physical beings on some cafeteria plan spiritual journey - a little bit of this mingled with some of that and a side of those.

NOAH WAS DIFFERENT.  The world got death - Noah got life.  The world got destroyed - Noah got in a big boat, safe and sound with his family.  The world was punished - Noah was promoted to World Leader.  Different is good.  God likes what he sees in different.

Noah gave all.  He sacrificed reputation, career and his fear of big cats (I don't like 'em in any size...:)).  He built a boat while people laughed.  He and his wife, sons and daughters-in-law poured their whole selves into the fulfillment of God's command to "DO" something different.  Yeah....different is good - very good.

" Enoch lived sixty-five years, and begot Methuselah.  After he begot Methuselah, Enoch walked with God three hundred years, and had sons and daughters.  So all the days of Enoch were three hundred and sixty-five years.  And Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him." (Genesis 5:21-24, NKJV)

"Missing:  Human Male, Age: 365,  Height: approximately 5' 8", Last seen wearing sandals, skins/tunic.  Place last accounted for: Yesterday, in a garden near his tent, in the presence of a Figure dressed all in white with bright light all around."

Yeah, it doesn't appear to have taken folks long to figure out where Enoch went, huh?  The Bible says "he was simply gone." (v.24, MSG)  Then, immediately, the Word says, "God took him." (same verse).

Hollywood has their "A" list - God has His "E" list.  :)

We don't know anything else about Enoch.  And we don't have to, do we?  What we know is that Enoch was such close friends with God that he got the "Big Invite"!  I suspect there is no doubt in any reader's mind that Enoch had, at that point in his life, surrendered all in obedience to the Father.  He walked with God.  He was in step with his Creator.  He communed with The Great I AM.  As a result, he escaped the pain of earthly death and received a one way ticket to paradise.....two tickets to paradise....hmmm.

You know something?  I don't think it's only coincidence that Enoch lived 365 years.  God knew exactly when to take Enoch home.  Heres' what I get - there are 365 days in a year.  Every January 1st, you and I get a unique opportunity to start fresh with a brand new year.  Businesses close out year-end, we pay our taxes and move into new territory.  And faster than we can become comfortable with writing the date with the new year's number, we forget all about our resolutions, our commitments and our promises - to ourselves and to our God.

But what would happen if we got in perfect cadence with God on January 1st and stayed in step with Him, walking with Him, every hour of every day through the entire year?  All 365 days?  You know what, I'd be willing to bet a few of us would end up on the missing persons list!!

Lord, we thank You for allowing us the privilege to walk with You.  To commune with You.  to stay with You.  I pray that we won't miss a step in our pursuit of Your presence in our lives.  Teach us to place everything at Your feet.  We recognize that even our all isn't worth much and we know that we are not even close to worthy.  But Your Son Jesus is Worthy and He called us His friends.  He told us that whatever we ask in His Name, You would do.  We come in the Name of Jesus claiming our joint inheritance.  Though it isn't much, we lay everything we have, all that we are, before You.  We make our lives an offering.  Receive us.  Revive us.  Redo us.  Polish us - make us new in You.  We want to go Home, so we'll walk with You.  Run with You.  We give You all.

"Now Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and bore Cain, and said, 'I have acquired a man from the LORD.'  Then she bore again, this time his brother Abel. Now Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground.  And in the process of time it came to pass that Cain brought an offering of the fruit of the ground to the LORD.  Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat. And the LORD respected Abel and his offering, but He did not respect Cain and his offering. And Cain was very angry, and his countenance fell.
So the LORD said to Cain, 'Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen?  If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it.'
Now Cain talked with Abel his brother; and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother and killed him." (Genesis 4:1-8, NKJV)

I always kinda thought Cain got a raw deal.  I mean, I always thought that he should have raised sheep instead of growing crops.  What's that about?  Where would we be without farmers today, right?  What's so special about sheep anyway?  Why was Abel's offering better than Cain's?

Well, I learn something new everyday in the Word.  Today - and maybe I'm the only one that missed this jewel - I realized that God's displeasure with Cain wasn't really about the offering at all.  Cain was a sinner - a sinner going through the motions of sacrifice - but he was disobedient to God in other areas of his life.  Look at it again.  "If you do well,, will you not be accepted?"  God doesn't say to Cain, "If you sacrifice sheep instead of carrots, will you not be accepted?"  God wasn't displeased with the gift - he was displeased with the giver!

So from the above, we can also surmise that Abel was "a man after God's own heart."  Abel was respected by God because of his obedience.  Abel brought more than sheep to the altar - he brought the gift of obedience, faithfulness and love for his Creator.  Abel was fulfilling the purpose for which you and I were created - to give all. 

And Abel became the world's first martyr.  Having given all in life, he gave all in death.  He was hated by his brother because he was faithful to God in his life.  He was murdered by his brother because of his relationship with the Father.

So many in the world today are going through the motions of sacrifice.  They get up early on Sunday mornings to attend church services (services....what does that mean?  a topic for another day???).  They throw $5 bucks in the offering plate, sing the first and last stanzas of some songs they never really understand, while complaining that they have to stand up and sing them.  15 minutes in, they're already thinking about where they will eat lunch and what game they will watch in the afternoon between naps.  And they mock true worshippers, ostracize them from religious circles and condemn them as nuts, fruitcakes, Jesus freaks.  This because they don't understand "give all".  They believe they are physical beings on a spiritual journey!!!! 

And eventually, we all die.  Most of us likely reaching that point having never understood what our purpose was in Christ.  Yeah, I know.  That's darn depressing to think about isn't it?  "If you do well, will you not be accepted?"  Seems simple enough, huh?

Give all today.  Oh, and Abel......Thanks, man.

"Adam lived a total of 930 years. And he died." (Genesis 5:5, MSG)

Today, we begin a series entitled "All".  I cannot tell you how many days we will spend here.  What I can tell you is that I feel impressed to write about this topic until we have exhausted every example we can find of people who have walked through life and given their all for the sake of their calling.  We will examine the lives of some people we commonly call heroes and some people that we don't think of as heroes - folks who got a bad wrap from some mistake or misstep, but lived lives of holiness and humility and service to God in spite of their past and in spite of their failures.  I know the latter bunch is a group I can relate to - maybe you can too.

Adam is one such guy.  The original Simple Simon.

When we think of Adam, what comes to mind first?  I'll be the first to admit that I generally associate Adam with disappointment.  A disappointment to God, a failure as a father and husband, a disappointment to the human race as a whole.  The guy had everything.  He was given the keys to Earth!  And he screwed up - big time. 

The thing is - for all of Adam's failures, he likely had hundreds of successes.  Granted, the first few chapters of Genesis regarding Adam's life don't really read like a "Lifetime Achievement Award" introduction.  As I read, I don't slip into some state of trance-like enwonderment imagining the voice of Morgan Freeman reading from a card to introduce a video collage for a huge theater of people to laugh and cry over - a payment of homage to "Adam de Eden, the Father of all Mankind".  On the contrary.  He sounds more like a mobster "Don" - his offspring included a murderer and a brawler - we know this much is true. 

But read between the lines.  Cain and Abel were both bringing offerings to God.  Who do you suppose taught them the importance of recognizing the Source of Provision and returning a portion of that to God?  Who do you suppose remained faithful to their mother, Eve, the two of them together raising a huge household of kids - all of which were not "bad eggs".  As a matter of fact, there are some heroes we will talk about in the next few days that come from Adam's direct lineage (okay - we all do - I get that).  In Genesis 5 we see the names of familiar heroes - Abel, Seth, Enoch & Noah.  These are "characters" that we admire for their temperance, their faithfulness to God and their obedience to His direction.  In fact, Adam spent 930 years in the service of God fulfilling the command to multiply and teaching his offspring the importance of exercising that same kind of obedience in their own lives. 

Adam, along with Enoch and Noah and ultimately, Jesus, gave their all in obedience to the Father.  As we walk through the next few weeks, let's focus on how you and I can give our all right now.  You wanna be a hero?  Give ALL. 

"For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace." (Romans 8:6, NKJV)

I need lots of guidance.  Left to my own devices I would have been dead a long time ago.  The power of God in my life is my central source of strength and I depend upon His wisdom (I call it wisdom, which is really an insult because He is so much more than wise - the creator of all this in which the best is yet to come - there are just not earthly words to describe it, so forgive me, Lord, for my incapacity to give You honor more appropriately here) to see me through every situation in my life.

In addition to His direct influence in my life, He has also blessed me and surrounded me with people of integrity, strength, loving hearts and committed lives.  People who have loved me through all of my mistakes, people who have been my friend when it wasn't a good idea, and people who have prayed for me when I was too stupid to know I needed to be prayed for.

My wife of almost 18 years has been my compass.  She is an amazing person and I know that if I am traveling in the same direction she is traveling, I will finish well.  Even though she knows my most childish and ridiculous notions and is acutely aware of my armor made completely of chinks, she loves me.  She encourages me and she fulfills me.  My whole being yearns for more.  One touch, one word of encouragement, one smile - these set my world in motion - they are my oxygen and I breathe deeply - I fill my Spirit lungs.

My parents - gave me Jesus.  How can I muster up anything more than that?  When I was a child, they picked me up and dusted me off when I fell.  Today, they pick me up and dust me off when I fall.  Lives devoted to ministry, sacrifice and building a legacy - a heritage of Faith, Hope and Love.

My children teach me something new about this Walk every day.  They live life to the FULL.  Laughter fills our home so often - the laughometer tells me they are happy.  Their struggles are mine, their pain scars me, their disappointment destroys me, their delight is my delight, their successes spark in me a euphoric sense of satisfaction - satisfied - elated to be reminded they are better than me! 

My friends - many of you are here reading.  I cannot begin to tell you what it means to be able to call you that - my friends.  We have prayed together, seen miracles unfold before our very eyes, fought through pain together, cried, laughed, worshipped and sought the Spirit-Life - the God way - together.  My loving gauntlet - my army.  Thank you for sticking your necks out and being my friend!

Wow - the above is always with me.  Honestly, I really didn't expect it to come in writing today, but it does drive the point home, now that I think about it.

I had breakfast with one of those dear friends last week.  An amazing gentlemen who is wise (again, that's the best word I've got), caring and real.  He has given me such jewels of thought and encouragement.  In particular, he reminded me last week of an ever-important truth.  Here's his exact quote:  "Remember, we believe we are physical beings on a spiritual journey, but Michael, that's wrong thinking.  You see, really, we are spiritual beings on a physical journey."  That's what the scripture above first impressed upon me to write today.

We go through life throwing our eternal part a bone!  We trudge through our physical realm reaping essentially nothing in return and find ourselves physically spent at the end of the day - all this while our spirits grow more and more anemic with each passing calendar X! 

Paul said it to a group of people in Rome who really needed to hear it and so do you and I!!  "For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace."  If you and I choose to live in the eternal - the infinite verus the finite - we shed the shackles of fear, doubt, uncertainty and emptiness.  We take on the Spirit reflection of courage, faith, divine purpose and a life filled with God-things - a Spirit soaring life!  We transcend the foolishness and the destruction this world offers and we gain eternity filled wth the Presence of the One Who created us!!  "The Father of Light, with whom there is no shadow of turning!"

Amen!

"Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship." (Rom. 12:1, NASB)

I was talking with a friend of mine the other day who recently became a Pastor.  He walked away from his leadership role in the workplace, left behind the salary and the benefits, probably lost a few friends along the way (not at all uncommon), and has sacrificed much to answer The Call.  I know him well enough to know that he is not counting the cost, but I can say that he has given much.  My prayer is that he will be rewarded richly both in this life and the Life to come and that his participation in the continuing ministry of Jesus Christ will be blessed beyond his wildest imagination!

The conversation did get me thinking about sacrifice.  Yesterday, we talked about the fact that "walking with God" was a common denominator among those who saw Heaven opened and the Glory of God falling.  Each one of those men also knows something about sacrifice!  In fact, every single one of them literally gave their physical lives for the cause of Christ.  They laid it all on the line - and in earthly terms they lost it.  But you and I know the rest of the story!!  Toby Mac's song says "I don't wanna gain the whole world and lose my soul."  In giving their lives, those men gained massive eternal blessing and reward!  Let's think about it from their perspective.  Remember that they didn't have the freedoms that we enjoy (at least for now) in today's world.  Death as a result of their beliefs didn't catch them by surprise.  They left family, friends, careers - they abandoned everything - all with the full knowledge that it would likely cost them their lives.  They were a part of a very small sect of radical extremists that were essentially hated by everyone!  Yet they gave it up - all of it - without the slightest hesitation.

Fast forward.  We are surrounded by symbols and reminders of Christ and his sacrifice.  We live in a "Christian" nation and we have the freedom to worship openly - extravagantly - without fear of any punishment or even criticism in most circles.  In the midst of that, we are less willing than those men to release the world and take up the cross than any generation before us.  Notice all of the collective pronouns in that statement - we, us.  I'm not pointing fingers at you as I sit at my kitchen counter just a few feet from stocked cabinets and a refrigerator full of food or within sight of my garage full of toys and tools and vehicles with full tanks of gas.  I'm not sitting in judgement - I'm admitting that WE don't really understand sacrifice!

Lord, rescue us from us!!!  Teach us the meaning of sacrifice!  You gave Your Life!  We give so little.  You gave up Glory to walk among us - to become Emmanuel - and yet we are not willing to leave the comfort of our homes or our beautiful church buildings, stepping out in faith to move in Your Spirit and share You with those who are hurting, those who cannot find their way, those who are grieving, giving up, dying.  We say we will leave it all - and then we calculate our payments.  We commit that we will go anywhere in the world in Your service - and we fail to even apply for a passport.  We dream dreams and have visions - and yet we live the status quo life - day in and day out, the same, sad, meaningless and fruitless life.  We count the cost - we depend upon our frail and ignorant earthly minds - we give ourselves over to reason and convince ourselves that someone will go, someone will sacrifice.  We have jobs, families, responsibilities and commitments - these must take priority.  But you have said that "whoever gains his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for My sake will find it."  HELP US!!!  Lord, we pray that you will overwhelm us with Your Holy Fire!  Move us out of our comfort zone and into the Light of sacrifice.  For Your ways are higher than our ways and Your thoughts are higher than our thoughts.  Teach us the meaning of sacrifice, remove our comforts, take away our pride and our selfishness, slay us!!  We surrender our lives to You - all.  In Jesus' Name, Amen. 

"Oh, that you would rip open the heavens and descend...." (Is. 64:1, MSG)

Adam Saw It.  Enoch saw It.  Elijah saw It.  Peter, James and John saw It.  Stephen saw It.  John saw It (again).

What is It, you ask?  The Heavens opened!  They looked visibly into the Sanctuary of God, the Highest Holy of Holies, the Majesty of Heaven.  Some lived to tell about it.  Some looked at it and never looked back toward Earth.  They just went on in! 

Fast forward.  2010.  We live in a world full of distractions, comforts and substitutes.  As believers, we look forward to "someday" seeing what John described in Revelation as "the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband." (ch. 21).  And someday we will see It, forever, in all of It's splendor and glory!  But do we have to wait to experience It?  NO!!!  When Jesus taught us to pray, He was careful to ask that God's will be done here on Earth "just as it is in Heaven".  The Power and the Glory of that place is available to us here - now!  If we surrender our lives to Him, we become ambassadors of Heaven here on Earth.  We are no longer bound to the Earth alone as our source of strength and provision.  We enjoy the fullness of His Grace and Mercy along with the added benefit of the resources of Heaven!! 

So, why haven't we seen the power of this promise more evident in our lives?  Let's examine those who have seen It and find out!

First, those who we read about in the Bible who saw the Heavens opened "walked with God".  Adam communed with Him in the Garden.  Enoch was such close friends with God that he got invited to an eternal "sleepover".  Elijah had such close personal fellowship with God that He recieved an all-expense-paid one way trip to God's Holy City.  Peter, James and John were the inner circle - Jesus' closest companions - and they saw Jesus transformed by Light - they witnessed Him chatting with Moses and Abraham!  Stephen, like the inner circle would too someday, died in the service of the Cross - but before he left, He saw "heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!" (Acts 7)  John sees Glory again as He writes the book of Revelation during his exile - not just a glimpse either - he sees all of It!!  And the details are exciting!

If we want to see Heaven burst open, we need to be walking with God.  We need to be communing with Him - not just occasionally - always.  We need to become the close companions of our Holy Father - not casual acquaintances - close friends.  Now, here's the secret - we don't have to get His attention, we just need to give Him ours.  Remember, you were created for the purpose of loving Him and He created you!!  We know He stands ready to speak to your heart, to spend time with you and to love you - the Abba Father "Daddy God" way.

Pray, study His Word and Worship Him.  He will run to you and you will see the portals of Heaven open and His Glory fall in your life.  You will experience the overwhelming power of God in your living room, your kitchen or your garage.  You can see Heaven open!  Look up! 

"The harvest is past,
   the summer has ended,
   and we are not saved." (Jer. 8:20, NIV)

January 31st.  31 days gone.  8.5% of the year now behind us.  1/12th.  How did that happen?  What about "The Power of 29"?  How are we doing?  Where have we been?

First, if any of you have a story to celebrate with the rest of the readership here, please don't hesitate to share it with us!!  We all need the encouragement that comes from knowing that we are not alone on the battlefield and that we are gaining ground on the enemy!  Just knowing that we're not alone in the fight and that victories are being won by our fellow warriors is enough to sustain us in the fight!  So share your victories!  If you're not a member of this site, just reach out and let us know you want to be!  We want to include you and we want you to join with us in 2010 to see the world come to know Christ.  If you're wondering what I'm talking about today, then go back to the devotion from December 30th of 2009 and join with us in recognizing what amazing things God can do with a small dedicated and devoted group of believers.

Secondly, if you have been praying with us since that time just before the New Year, guess what?  1 down - only 11 more to go.  I shared with our pastor a few weeks ago that I didn't want to get to December of this year only to still be talking about what a great year it's going to be.  I woke up to the end of January today and I'm panicked.  I'm grief stricken.  I have wasted precious time and people are dying.  I can never have those days back.  Those missed or ignored opportunities to witness to others on behalf of Christ will never present themselves in the same way again.  Maybe not at all.

So what will we do with February?  Will we seek out opportunities to share our Faith with individuals who are hurting, dying, lost?  Or will we sit back, resting in the assurance that someone somewhere is winning the lost to Christ?  I heard an old black preacher say once that "if we fail Him, He has made no other provision!"  You and I hold in our hands the answers to the world's questions.  We have the solutions to the world's problems.  We hold the secrets to the real "meaning of Life".  Jesus is the answer, the solution, the Life.  Don't let February pass you by.  The blind called out His Name and He listened.  The hungry gathered around Him and He fed them.  The friends of the lame man acted beyond reason, tore open the ceiling and He told him to get up.  Let's move beyond reason!!  Let's act out what the world calls foolishness and see the world come to know the Peace, the Love, the Healing and the Joy that can only come through KNOWING HIM.  Knowing Him.  That they may KNOW HIM.  In Jesus' Name, Amen.

"No eye has seen,
  no ear has heard,
 no mind has conceived
 what God has prepared for those who love him" (1 Cor. 2:9, NIV)

Today was so much fun!!  6 or 7 inches of snow is really alot for us!  William, of course, was asking to go out by around 9:00 AM.  Considering it was only about 15 degrees at that hour, we said no...:)  However, by around noon, all of of us were in it!  Our neighbors were out there with their kids as well.  We had the four wheelers out, pulling sleds and people - what an awesome time!  I couldn't help but think how fortunate we were to all be together having such a great time.

After we came in, stoked the fires, ate some lunch and got warmed up, I continued to reflect on how much fun that was.  The thought also crossed my mind that I never want this snow weekend to end - I never want to have to be apart from Rhonda, the kids, our home.  How could things get any better?

Not long after thinking those thoughts, God assured me that there will be better times.  I sat down and began to read 1 Corinthians.  In the second chapter, it really hit me.  Yes - these are (in the infamous words of Jim Taylor, President of "the Univeristy formerly known as Cumberland College"...:)), "indeed, exciting times", but God has better things yet in store for all of us!  He revealed to me that, as good as my life may be today, His plans for us are so much greater than we can ever imagine possible. 

Many people read this as a scripture of comfort when a believer is passing away or when someone has already gone on to be with the Lord.  Today, the Lord showed me that this is a LIVING scripture!!  It isn't meant for the dead or dying!  It's meant for you and me - it's a promise from Him that His plan is still at work in our lives.  That the best from Him for our lives is yet to come!  What revelation!

Take hold of the promise from the Father that there are even better days ahead!  I hope your day has been as great as mine and I hope your future is even brighter!!  Enjoy!!  

"....put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness." (Ephesians 4:22-24, NKJV)

"Beep.....beep....beep......mission control to ground....launch sequence in 10, 9, 8......we have ignition......5, 4, 3, 2, 1.......speed 375 kilometers......(man over speaker)....she's breaking up....I can't hold her!  Beep....beep.....beep.....We have the technology.  We can rebuild him, make him better, stronger, faster than before." 

Oh yeah, you remember it, don't you?  The opening sequence from "The Six-Million Dollar Man".  Lee Majors in all of his Steve Austin character glory.  The amazing strength, the speed, the bionic eyes and that 60 foot vertical!  Man, I wanted to be like that.  I had the action figure, too!  Parts of his body you could peel back and reveal the electronics that drove his unbelievable powers.  You could even remove some of them for repairs!  You could look through the back of his head through a tiny monocular placed in his bionic eye!  Man, I wish I still had that thing.  I'd play with it right now......ahem......perhaps I've said too much...:).

We're not so far away from that technology today.  People who have lost their legs are running marathons.  Now, mind you, they're not running them at 70 miles per hour, but the technology is still amazing!  It is so encouraging to know that these things are possible. 

Most importantly, The Six-Million Dollar Man is a great reminder that something old, something useless to many, something considered beyond repair, can rise from the ashes and become like new!  How much is our transformation in Christ like that?!?!  Much!  You see, it doesn't matter how terrible your "crash and burn" life experiences have damaged your reputation or your spirit.  Jesus "has the technology"!  He can rebuild your life!  The power of forgiveness can make your life brand new - better, stronger than before!

Caution:  you will have to lose some things in order for Him to replace them.  He doesn't repair - He renews.  He replaces.  You empty your heart, mind and soul of the things that have stood in the way of developing a deep relationship with your Creator and then He fills the void with newness of life, peace, joy and love.  The Word tells us that "anyone united with the Messiah gets a fresh start, is created new. The old life is gone; a new life burgeons!" (2 Cor. 5:17, MSG).  Gone.  Dead.  NEW!!

I encourage you today to become a "new creature".  It won't cost 6 million bucks either!  It's free!  All you have to do is tell Him you want Him to make you new - better, stronger than before.  Go ahead.....5, 4, 3, 2, 1........

"This is the rock on which I will put together my church, a church so expansive with energy that not even the gates of hell will be able to keep it out." (Matt. 16:18, MSG)

It's a classic Simple Simon moment.  I'm laying in bed, trying desperately to get Reid Elizabeth to sleep.  It's 10:00 PM and we've only been home for about 30 minutes after having been gone all day to work, school, football workouts and an academic team meet.  I am beat!  Rhonda comes up from the laundry room, stands at the end of the bed with a strained look on her face and commences to share with me the good news.  "There's water in the basement - alot of water."

Now, being the rock star Christian that I am, I immediately began to thank God for the water in my basement. 

I hope I don't have to tell you that's a lie.  I bet you already figured this one out.  Yep - you guessed it.  My entire world fell apart in that moment.  I get out of my warm and comfortable bed, put on my waterproof boots and take my first step on the puddles of water standing on our basement carpet.  Slop, slop, slop.  There is literally an inch of water in the unfinished area.  I stand in the middle of it and throw a tantrum.  "Why?", I ask.  "Why can't we get a break?!?!"  "I'm so tired!"  "I have told those boys to hang their hunting clothes up a thousand times!  Why are they laying in the floor in a puddle of water??!!"

Oh yeah....I'm a rock.  When the storms come, I hold on to my anchor and wait it out.  I know that smooth seas are ahead and I calmly go about the business of trusting - real faith - real character.  What was that I shared a few days ago?  Now I remember!  "Men and women of character are ultimately defined by their reactions and responses to difficult or disappointing events in their lives."  Who was that?  I know that Rhonda had such total respect for me as I stood there in my shorts, t-shirt and wellington boots, ankle deep in water, throwing a fit.  In truth, I'm a mess.  What a disappointment I must be.....

Now it's morning and the waters are subsiding - not without some assistance from the trusty Shop-Vacâ......... and some back pain, but they are subsiding.  Now the floor is damp and the carpet is moist.  No puddles.  All will be back in order in time for the Super Bowl.  I can live again.

In the wake of it all (so to speak), I recognize how foolish it was of me to be so upset about a little water.  When we react to things like this in such an immature manner, it often causes us to then feel useless for the Kingdom.  I wasn't feeling like much of a Spiritual Warrior after my tantrum.  When that spirit creeps up on me, I hold on to the promise Jesus made to our good friend, Simon Peter.  Peter was a mess, too.  I'd be willing to bet he threw a fit or two over some pretty silly stuff.  But in the midst of that, Jesus chose Peter - a Rock - upon which to build His Church - His Prized Possession - His Bride.

In our moments of humanity, let's not get bogged down believing we're a millstone instead of a rock.  We can learn to simply praise God for Who He Is - despite our circumstances.  Instead of trying to climb up to jump off the top of the house over a litte water in your basement, the dog's accident on the carpet or needing to get the brakes repaired on your vehicle - pray for those devastated by the catastrophe in Haiti or for those Christian Brothers and Sisters who are imprisoned for the cause of Christ.  Heck, thank Him that it was only water and not sewer liquid backing up into your basement drain.  Things could be much worse, huh?

Let's work on becoming rocks together. 

"Be still, and know that I am God....." (Psalm 46:10, KJV)

 "Step out of the traffic! Take a long,
  loving look at me, your High God,
  above politics, above everything." (Psalm 46:10, MSG)

They call it "The Terrible Two's".  It's really an awful tag, isn't it?  But it's not so far from true!  We've been through these challenging months before, but I did alot more spanking with the boys!!  Reid Elizabeth, our soon-to-be-3-year-old daughter has given us quite the run for our money during the last several months!  She is soooo busy!  Admittedly, we have spoiled all of our children at different times, so we are primarily to blame.  And maybe it's just that we are getting older and have less engergy to deal with TTT this time around.  Whatever the case, I'm tired!

Luckily, we have reached a bit of a plateau.  After two years of watching "Barney Songs", "Dora The Explorer" and "Mickey Mouse Clubhouse" while simutaneously rocking a baby-doll or eating and drinking the latest meal prepared at the Pottery Barn kitchen counter, Reid will finally sit on my lap for extended periods of time and read a book, listen to a silly or scary story, or watch something on television rated for folks older than 2!!  Interestingly, she likes to watch hockey an awful lot! 

As Believers, our Spiritual journey is not much different than the life of the toddler.  We spend so much time stuck on milk instead of meat and we want to entertain ourselves with the simple - the mundane and the immature.  We nibble around on the Word and busy ourselves with pretending to be something bigger than we really are. 

All of this and what God really wants from us is for us to "Step out of the traffic!"  To just stop for a minute.  To crawl up in His lap and spend time with Him.  To "Be still, and know that [He is] God!!"  That's communion!  It's during those times spent in the stillness of the presence of God that we develop the deep relationship He wants to have with us.  The tenderness and the intimacy we crave can be found in Him!  He loves to have our attention and He loves to give us His.  We just have to be willing to stop, climb up in our "Daddy God's" lap and sit for awhile.

Today, take time to step out of the traffic.  Skip lunch and find a quiet place to rest in Him.  Lavish your affection on Him and seek His Face.  He will run to you!  You will know that He is God!

It's tough having an older sibling.  I had an older sister.  That wasn't tough because it was her.  It was just tough because there were times she got to do things that I was not able to do yet.  Now, don't misunderstand - I didn't hide under my bed and cry because I didn't get to go to cheerleading camp!  It was things like riding my bike down the street by myself or staying over at a friend's house - that kind of stuff.

William, our 9-year-old, is experiencing that same thing.  There are lots of advantages to the difference in ages in our children, now 14, 9 and 2.  We will never have to pay for more than one college education at a time and we will never have to pay for more than one car at a time for each of them!  I like that a lot!

There are also some disadvantages for them.  William, in particular, is at a juncture where he wants to be able to do all the things his older brother gets to do AND he is no longer the recipient of the level of grace afforded a 2-year-old when doing things he shouldn't be doing.  Tough spot.  My "cut-no-slack" obedience and discipline philosophy doesn't work out great for him either - that's a tough draw - poor kid.

Recently, the youth in our church had a "lock-in" on the night before a school holiday.  Those events are specifically for kids in junior and senior high - not for fourth graders - that's usually called babysitting.  So Trey got to go and William didn't.  Seems simple enough to me.  So initially, I just took the stance with William that none of us got to go to lock-ins when we were 9 years old and that he should just "deal with it and get over it".  Isn't that the message?  Maybe it is the essence of the situation, but my approach was not very "golden-rulish" and Rhonda reminded me that I should be sensitive to his disappointment.  After all, it was a church event and we should be glad that he wanted to participate.  Very wise.

So, I asked William to ride with me to drop Trey off and we spent some time together afterwards just being together, doing a little shopping and talking about character.  Now, indulge me - I'm a lecturing father, but I thought the time together went very well.  Here was my opportunity to teach my youngest son some lessons in character building.  Here's what I shared with him.

Your character is a term used to define what kind of person you are and character is what shows itself when you face situations in your life - both good and bad.  Men and women of character are ultimately defined by their reactions and responses to difficult or disappointing events in their lives.  Everybody deals well with the highs - the good stuff.  That's easy.  It is the times during our lives when challenges arise that we are able to see inside one another and recognize strength or weakness, faith or doubt.

Some biblical examples?  Noah faced the destruction of the world as he knew it and the total annihalation of the human race and went from laughing stock to the new lone leader of the world - that's character.  David killed giants, but was forced to run for his life from the very King he had saved - his best friend's father -  he exercised mercy and humility and eventually became King himself through whose line Jesus would be born - that's character.  Daniel was a great leader whose faith was tested against a pride of hungry lions, which he proceeded to pet while he waited for someone to come let him out of that pit - that's character.  Jesus left the Throne of Glory and became flesh - a carpenter - and embraced the Cross so you and I could understand LOVE and receive the Gift of Eternal Life - that's character.

I pray that as we raise up men and women of winning character that we will demonstrate the victorious living that marks such character.  I pray that we will pay attention to Godly examples - both those we can read about in the Bible AND the Billy Graham's of the world today, and pattern our own lives in such a way that those who come behind us will understand the full meaning of faith and hope - that they will develop God-like character.  In Jesus' Name.

"My counsel for you is simple and straightforward: Just go ahead with what you've been given. You received Christ Jesus, the Master; now live Him. You're deeply rooted in Him. You're well constructed upon Him. You know your way around the faith. Now do what you've been taught. School's out; quit studying the subject and start living it! And let your living spill over into thanksgiving."  Colossians 2:6-7, MSG)

"So, where are you in the Spirit right now?"  "Well.....I'm just waiting.  I know the Lord has some amazing things to do in my life and I'm just like, you know, waiting on Him to move.  I'm so excited!  I'm like....waiting.  'Wait on the Lord, and He will make me fly like an eagle!'  God is good all the time and all the time, God is soooo good.  I'm waiting....just waiting."  Hard stop.

How many times have you heard a similar exchange.  Now let's all admit, how many times have we been the one to give the "like.....waiting" answer?  You know, someone catches you off-guard with that "what's the Lord dealing with you about" question and you - SUUUPER CHRISTIAN! - can't just say, "I have no idea."  So, instead of an honest response, we give a stupid one.  "Waiting....just waiting."

First of all "waiting on the Lord" is like "waiting tables"....it's about service.  It's not about passing the time, standing around whistling and swinging a chain!  The Walk is not a string of bus stops!  It's an experience - a journey - a lifelong series of events that happen because you are on the move for Him - advancing His Kingdom by faith! 

Remember that movie, "The Jerk"?  In one scene, shortly after the main character leaves his childhood home and family to strike out and seek his fortune, the family is sitting around the table, quietly eating dinner - all obviously troubled by the empty chair where the young man once sat.  The Mother says, "I sure am gonna miss that boy."  Another speaks up and says, "I wonder how he's doing?"  The father gets up, goes over to the window and yells, "How's it going?"  Steve Martin, playing the part of the prodigal yells back, "It's going great!  I think I see a truck coming!"  He had been standing in front of the house the whole time waiting for a ride - and not taking a single step forward on his own!!!!

What are we waiting for?!?!?!  It's time for the Church to mobilize!  It's time for us to get on fire - to ignite everything near us!  No more waiting!!  Here's the message:

"If I move in You, Lord, You will move in me. 

If I'll walk, You'll run and Your Grace will carry me. 

If I close my eyes, You will cause my heart to see,

that if I dream in You, dreams become reality. 

If I move in You, You will move in me!"

"It is for freedom that Christ has set us free." (Gal. 5:1, NIV)

As I was reading this verse this morning, I couldn't help but break into song - "Born free, as free as the wind blows, as free as the grass grows, born free to follow my heart!"  Trey looked at me a little strangely as he sat here at the kitchen counter eating his Cocoa Puffs listening to my ridiculous rendition.  Hey, I gotta be free, right?  Do you remember that movie?  The one about the lions being raised by people and then being released into the wild?  That's about all I remember regarding the plot, but I remember that song.

As I reflected on that in relation to Paul's teaching in his letter to the Galatians, I also couldn't help hearing the phrase "Born Again Free".  That's you and me as Believers!  We've been set free by the Power of Christ's Ressurection as we have claimed His victory as our own and made Him Lord of our lives.  We were once captive, but He paid the ultimate price for our freedom!

You'll recognize another movie excerpt - "With great power, comes great responsibility."  This morning we can insert the key word "freedom".  "With great freedom, comes great responsibility."  As Believers, you and I achieve freedom through submission.  That's not a concept that the world understands.  To the world, that's like telling someone to go east to head west.  Our freedom comes as the result of giving complete control of our minds and bodies over to someone else!  We die to live and we surrender to win.  Seems twisted, huh? 

Well, that's the beauty of freedom.  If we hold on to our own will and fail to surrender our lives to Him, then we don't get the benefit of turning all the good stuff AND THE STRUGGLES over to Him!  Freedom comes through abandoning our own time-stamped concepts in exchange for the eternal.  If I've only got 30 or 40 more years to live, then an event that puts a kink in one of my days seems like a big deal, but if I live in the freedom of the eternal it's no big deal! I trust Him to take care of it and I have hope beyond what this world can offer!!  Once we are really able to take hold of that, everything else begins to pale in comparison to our freedom in Him!!!

Lord, teach us to walk in the FREEDOM you have given us!  Help us to understand that freedom is not free, it was bought with a Price - a Ransom For All.  Teach us to grasp the concept of freedom through submission - the thing You have revealed to us while the world marvels.  Give us the courage and the strength to use our freedom in You to bring Glory and Honor to Your sacrifice and to exercise boldness - proclaiming freedom for captives wherever we go.  In Jesus' Name, Amen! 

"I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace." (Ephesians 4:1-3, NKJV)

The Message says it like this, "In light of all this, here's what I want you to do. While I'm locked up here, a prisoner for the Master, I want you to get out there and walk—better yet, run!—on the road God called you to travel. I don't want any of you sitting around on your hands. I don't want anyone strolling off, down some path that goes nowhere. And mark that you do this with humility and discipline—not in fits and starts, but steadily, pouring yourselves out for each other in acts of love, alert at noticing differences and quick at mending fences."

It's the last thing I want to write about this morning.  I spent the weekend surrendering to a virus that is ripping through our family ranks.  First our two-year-old, then Rhonda, then me and the boys are feeling funky.  It has left me sore and about 9 pounds lighter than when it hit me.  Our pastor reminded me of our recent devotion entitled "Miracle Weight Loss!", but I don't recommend this method!  Anyway, reluctantly, I'm going to be obedient and publicly commit something.

One of my goals in 2010 is to run a half-marathon.

Yep - me.  13 miles.  I had this idea hit me just before the new year and it's been nagging at me ever since.  I really didn't understand why until this morning when I read those first few verses of Ephesians 4.  Now it's clear to me.  God wants to use this experience to teach me about discipline, readiness and endurance.  I'm going to learn lessons I never dreamed of concerning "sure and steady".  What will I have to do to prepare to run this race well?

A few things to start:

• Listen to those who have run before.
• Study the rules, the guidelines and the course.
• Train - it will take more than just running to prepare.
• Select the right equipment - shoes, etc.
• And of course, RUN - ALOT.  That means doing.

Any of that sound familiar?  Yeah, that's what I noticed, too.  It looks alot like our faith.

God has dealt with something else significant here, as well.  You see, as most of you know, I don't have a runner's build.  People don't look at me and think, "Now there's a marathon runner."  They probably look at me and wonder if I'm going to make it to the fridge and back again!  So here's the lesson I'm learning.  We may not "look" like a pastor or a missionary or an on-fire witness for Christ when He first plants the seed of calling in us.  But with the right guidance, deep study of His Word, training ourselves in earnest prayer, equipping ourselves with His Spirit and stepping out just to simply DO what He's called us to do - you and I can change the world.

Wanna run?  Stay tuned.....

"Now there were some present at that time who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. Jesus answered, "Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way? I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish. Or those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them—do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem? I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish." (Luke 13:1-5, NIV)

There is a book called "When Bad Things Happen to Good People".  I've read it and there are some tidbits of wisdom in it that are valuable.  It helps us to understand that, while God is not the author of all things evil or bad, He is in all things and He can use these situations to bring us closer to Him - to increase our dependence upon Him - to cause us to turn to our Source of Strength.

I have another thought regarding the book and its title.  Jesus said, "No one is good—except God alone" (Mark 10:18, NIV).  It's true - our nature is not good and we can never be good in and of ourselves.  Our position is completely dependent upon Who we place our trust in.  As Believers, you and I are covered in Christ's goodness, but it's His goodness - not ours.  We can even do good, but without Him, we are not "good".  Our righteousness "stinks" in comparison to His true Righteousness - His Pure Holiness.

With the situation in Haiti, there is much speculation as to what that nation has done to "deserve" experiencing such catastrophic and tragic events such as those that have transpired as a result of the earthquake.  The answer is simple.  They have done the same things that you and I have done.  It's so easy to point fingers - to find fault and place blame on folks who are experiencing bad things in their lives.  Fact is, "all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God."  If we believe in Mercy - and we should, since we have all been recipeints of so much of it - we must believe that Haiti, just like you and I, will "have tribulations" while we are in the world. 

Here's something else we can be sure of - Christ is suffering in the midst of the people of Haiti.  When bad things happen to people, His Holy Spirit is there - in the midst of them.  God has not abandoned the people of Haiti and He alone can bring good out of that terrible and sad situation of loss and grief, confusion and sorrow.  He is not surprised by the cataclysmic events there.  It is a natural catastrophy and He knew that it would happen before the beginning of time.  He also knows what amazing stories of faith, mercy and grace will emerge as a result.  Again - HE IS IN CONTROL.  HE IS GOOD.

We've all seen the pictures and heard horrific stories coming out of Haiti following the devastating earthquake that toppled buildings and buried tens of thousands of people under layers of rubble.  Many of us have also experienced a sense of helplessness as we have watched survivors' intense physical and emotional suffering.  Add a lack of resources, including medical care, food and water, and the situation is unfathomable.

There are many things that you and I have experienced and will experience that our human minds cannot understand.  We aren't meant to.  God intends that we have faith, no matter what.  That means that regardless of ours or others' circumstances, we have to trust in God.  Further, that means having hope in almighty God on good days and on bad days, in good times and in bad times.  Psalm 25:5 (NIV) reads, "guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long."  There is no addendum that allows our hope to be dependent on our circumstances.

While you and I may not understand the devastation in Haiti (or the rough spots that we personally experience), and while we may feel helpless in rectifying the situation, we have to keep our eyes on God and keep the faith.  When you feel that sense of helplessness, stop and pray.  While most of us cannot physically be in Haiti to provide relief, we can offer something much more valuable:  prayer.  Pray for their physical and emotional healing and pray that the lost will turn to God as they search for solace.  

Lord, while our flesh struggles to understand the intense suffering, our spirit finds comfort and hope in You.  Only You can provide the peace that passes understanding.  Only You can give hope to the hopeless, and only You can offer the gift of eternal life through Jesus.  We are not capable of understanding, but because of your promises, we don't need to.  You are in control, and we give You thanks.  In Jesus' name, amen.

"Turn your eyes upon Jesus.

Look full in His wonderful face,

And the things of earth will grow strangely dim

In the light of His Glory and Grace." (Helen Lemmel, 1922)

A gallon of gas was .11¢.....a loaf of bread - .9¢........a gallon of milk - .52¢....and you could buy a new car for under $400 bucks.  1922.  Helen Lemmel's world.  A British Immigrant family, led by a Wesleyan Methodist Pastor, settling in Wisconsin by way of Mississippi - this was also her world.  She studied music in America and then in Germany and spent the majority of her musical career devoting her gift to the glory of God in small venues and in teaching music at the Moody Bible Institute so the ministry of others could benefit from the talents God had given her.

The Holy Spirit used a spiritual tract to light the fire of inspiration that spawned the favorite for millions among hymns.  The tract, written by Lillian Trotter was titled "Focused" and contained this statement:

"So then, turn your eyes upon Him, look full into His face and you will find that the things of earth will acquire a strange new dimness." Lemmel wrote the chorus of the hymn on the same day that she read those words.

How different the world is today.  We've been through all or part of 5 wars or significant historical conflicts.  Gallons of gas and milk have increased in price by thousands of percentage points.  Crime rates are astronomically higher.  Children watch more murders on television today in a single year than there were actual murders nationwide in 1922.  The unemployment rate in 1922?  Less than 6%.  Times were relatively good.  Interestingly, it would not be long before the United States would experience the most terrible economic crisis in its now 235 year history.  People would need the encouragement of something (or someone) else to focus on.  Helen Lemmel was used by the Holy Spirit as an instrument of hope.  You and I can now share in that hope.

"O soul are you weary and troubled?  No light in the darkness you see?  There's Light for a look at the Savior and Life, more abundant and free!"

The intense focus of light through a magnifying glass can spark a fire large enough to devour everything in its path.  Lord, in this "Year of Fire", my prayer is that those who read this devotion today will commit their lives to an intense focus - that we might magnify Christ - and that the impact will be a revival of fire that will consume evil, and light the way for the lost to be found.  In a world filled with hopelessness, despair and sin-thirsty generations, give us the wisdom and the strength to fix our eyes upon Jesus - to "look full in His Wonderful Face" and to allow the things of this earth to take on that "strange dimness" in the shadow of His Glory.  In Jesus' Name - Amen.

"And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God." (Ephesians 3:17-19, NIV)

It may be "Third Day" that sings the phrase "Your Love, O Lord, reaches to the Heavens."  Whoever sings it, I woke up this morning with those words on my lips.  What an awesome morning!

As Paul wrote to the Church at Ephesus, I also pray for each one of you reading this devotion today - that we might "grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ."  It is in fully understanding His love for us that we can become capable of that same love for those around us each day.  Yep.  That means that boss or co-worker that you really don't get along with very well.  Yes.  That means that person who hurt you many years ago or yesterday.  Yes.  That person who said THAT about you a few days ago is included in the "love umbrella".  And the person that cut you off on the freeway during your commute last night and then had the audacity to signal that they think you're "number one"?  Yep - them too!

Aren't we so blessed that Jesus loved us just as we are?  He didn't pick out a few that He loved and die for them alone.  The Word says He died "once and for all".  The Word also says that "whosoever" believes has access to the Throne of Grace.  That is unconditional love - the kind of love that you and I as Christians need to have become a natural part of our own perception process.  We need to attain a level of love that transcends our mind and wells up from within our hearts to be our first response - not our "talk-ourselves-down-off-a-ledge-because-after-all-people-are-watching-me-and-I'm-supposed-to-love-them-as-Christ-loves-them" kind of response.  As followers of Christ, we must "become" love - not just demonstrate it for the sake of appearances.  The command is to "love one another" - not "appear as though you love one another."

It is when real love - unconditional, unfailing love - is at work that the world around us changes.  I pray that each of us will continue to become love, in Jesus' name.  Amen

"O LORD God Almighty, who is like you?
   You are mighty, O LORD, and your faithfulness surrounds you." (Ps. 98:8, NIV)

I've been singing this song all day long:

Who is like the Lord?  There is no one!

Who is like the Lord?

One of my favorite worship songs of all time has the same theme:

"There is none like You

No one else can touch my heart like You do.

I could search for all eternity long and find

There is none like you.

Your mercy flows like a river wide

And healing comes from Your hands

Suffering children are safe in Your arms

There is none like You."

I can't say it better than that or better than the Psalmist!  There is just no one like You, Jesus!  You are faithful when everyone else has abandoned us or given up on us.  You understand us because You created us.  You give us hope when the situation or the circumstance seems hopeless.  You give sight to the blind, hearing to the deaf and in Your Name the crippled are made whole and walk.  You are the Baptizer - the Almighty Giver of Gifts to those who seek You! 

There is none like YOU!!!!

Like your name, O God,
   your praise reaches to the ends of the earth;
   your right hand is filled with righteousness. (Ps. 48:9-10, NIV)

I wanted to share one of the most moving stories I have ever heard.  I have used this in speaking to churches to demonstrate the kind of sacrificial love that is God's most famous characteristic.

 Blessed is the man
   whose sin the LORD does not count against him
   and in whose spirit is no deceit." (Psalm 32:1-2, NIV)

12 days in.  I've gained 2 pounds.  At this rate, I will pack on another 60 pounds this year.  For those of you who know me, you know I can't afford another 60 pounds.  I could drop that much and still be healthy as a horse, but I CANNOT gain it!!  I have a couple of obstacles - I love to eat and, as my body gets older and new aches and pains appear, I loathe exercise.  This is a "one-two knockout" combination.  A recipe for disaster...:)  How could something so easy to get be so hard to get rid of?!?!? 

Well, I have WILLED myself to hit the treadmill at least 3 times a week until the weather warms up enough to facilitate moving my movement outdoors and I did eat an awesome turkey sandwich yesterday and have had no carbonated beverages this year.  I am trying and I will win!

Putting on weight is a lot like our sin nature.  It is so easy to pick up a misstep here, a sin that doesn't seem to hurt anybody there, a little white "story", an "innocent" inappropriate comment, or to rationlize a situation that we know is all wrong and call it "right".  Our pastor said something I thought was interesting on Sunday.  He reminded us that Satan uses our own voice - he imitates our physical voice, reproducing a perfect match inside our mind!  He makes us think that it's just our thought process, when in reality that monster of an idiot is the one giving us direction!!  What a dirty trick!!

Thank God, losing sin is easier than losing weight!!  It's simple!  Hand it over to Him.  Can you imagine how long the line would be at a weight loss clinic that advertised the following:

"New miracle weight loss plan now available!  That's right folks, just come on in to our office and hand it over!  Just one visit and you will be restored to your ideal weight.  You'll feel great and you'll look like a million bucks!  But that's not all!  "How much would that cost?", you ask.  Well, you would expect a procedure like this to cost thousands, right?  Hundreds?  $99.99?  No!!  Not $89, not $59, not even $9.95 - and this is not a trial offer!!  The procedure is absolutely, 100% FREE and it's guaranteed for LIFE!!"

Seems silly to think that we wouldn't show up, doesn't it?!?!?  Well, God's offer does sound too good to be true, but it's REAL!!  We don't have to sweat our sin away to "the oldies", we don't have to burn it off on a treadmill, and we don't have to do 1000 crunches to strengthen our "core"!!  We just have to turn it over to Him.  He is waiting for us with a Heart full of Grace and Arms of Mercy!  It's FREE and it's GUARANTEED FOR LIFE!!!

You've found the miracle cure!  Now share it with those around you who are looking for anything that will make them feel better - "looking for love in all the wrong places" - only to find that it leads them down the path toward deeper sin and greater disappointment!  Share the unmerited favor that can only be found where Jesus is Lord!  Cast all your "sin-weight" on Him!!  He cares for you! 

"Tell those who are slapping on the whitewash, 'When a torrent of rain comes and the hailstones crash down and the hurricane sweeps in and the wall collapses, what's the good of the whitewash that you slapped on so liberally, making it look so good?'" (Ezekiel 13:11 & 12, MSG)

"God is good all the time and all the time God is good!"  "Praise the Lord!"  "Hallelujah!"  "Praise God."  "Amen!"

We've all seen and heard these phrases from people that we knew truly meant them.  Likewise, I suspect we've all encountered some whitewashers!  You know what I'm talking about.  Talkers not walkers.  I have often told people that you can smell insincerity (translated appropriately - B.S.) from 1000 miles away.  I have been around some Christians, ministers, etc. when it seemed like I was a member of the audience in some wierd game show where people compete to see who knows the most Christian catch-phrases!

Having served in different ministry capacities over the last 25 years, I've met some genuine articles and a few impersonators - folks who talk a great talk, but have lives that are an absolute mess.  The mess is not by God's design.  It's of their own doing.  It's whitewash!

And what happens to those folks when a real crisis comes around?  Well, Ezekiel 13:11 & 12 pretty well sums it up!  They fold, they break, they fall apart!  And after the storm subsides, instead of still being on their solid ground, their "Faith feet", they are left in a heap - ready for the trash pile.  And people say, "where is their faith they talked about so much??"

Interstingly, in Ezekiel 14, God speaks to Ezekiel about some "real McCoys" - Noah, Daniel and Job.  These three were no "whitewashers"!!  They were the real deal!  When the flood waters rose, Noah was ready.  When the lions were licking their chops, Daniel called upon God and He answered.  Job's faithfulness in the midst of abandonment, dreadful disease and ridicule set him apart forever as the Father of the Faithful!  When the storms came, these guys were anchored - not tethered.  That's the difference.

Father, anchor us in the reality of Your Way.  No facade.  No veneer.  No slapping on a coat of touch up.  Teach us to "be" Holy - no "holy-speak" without the faith to back it up.  No whitewash over decaying wood.  We want to be trees planted by the water - rooted deeply and connected to the Life Source - Your Son, Jesus.  No plastic leaves here - Life!  No cheap imitations - we want to be the real thing!!  In Your strength, Lord.  Amen!

Read Acts Chapter 10.

Peter's taking a little coastal vacation.  He goes upon the roof to pray and starts "thinking about lunch."  He falls into a trance and receives from God essentially the message that the Gospel is for all nations and all people.  As the vision subsides, there are men knocking on the door of the house and asking for Peter to come preach to them.  Purely coincidentally, they are not Jewish people.  They are Roman.  The occupying force.  The same nation that carried out the crucifixion of Jesus.

Peter goes with them to their leader's home, witnesses to them, they receive the Holy Spirit and Peter baptizes them with water sealing the deal! 

All mere conicidence, right?  Of course not!  It's God's plan at work.  Prayer gives invite to vision and vision ushers in revivals!!  Paul wasn't thinking about going up to Cesarea.  He was thinking about lunch!!  God really does move in mysterious ways!

Reading this text this morning got me thinking about - no, not breakfast....:) - it got me thinking about "The Power of 29".  If you haven't had the opportunity to witness on a personal, one-on-one level yet this year, take heart in the process that came about for Peter.  An entire household - not just family, but servants and staff too, I'd bet - received the Power of God in their lives because Peter was faithful in his prayer life.  He wasn't looking for the open sky and the blanket with all types of animals on it and an escort to take him up to speak to a Roman guard unit.  He just went up there to pray.  This wasn't the first time Peter was surprised by the Power of God.  Remember the time he just wanted to get the nets in and go home, but Jesus offered a different suggestion and the boat couldn't contain the catch??  Wow, is that story a classic example of foreshadowing to the story of Peter and Cornelius or what?!?!

I pray that God will surprise you with opportunities to share your Faith with people you don't even know.  You be faithful to seek Him and He will be faithful to give you opportunities and open doors.  Peter didn't say anything profound to the folks in Cornelius' house, by the way.  The story sort of presents him as bumbling through the whole story of Jesus' life real quickly and shouting out in utter surprise that "It's God's own truth, nothing could be plainer: God plays no favorites!"  I picture him with that surprised look like Barney Fife!!  He has seen so much of Jesus' power with his own eyes, but he is totally amazed at how he has come to these people in Cesarea!!  I love it!  And I am praying that you get the Fife look soon!!  "Don't you see, Ange!  It's as plain as day!!!"

Go get 'em in Jesus' Name!!

"And being in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as He sat at meat, there came a woman having an alabaster box of ointment of spikenard, very precious; and she broke the box and poured it on His head." (Mark 14:3, KJ21)

What a waste!  That's criminal!  Why isn't he rebuking her?!?!  Master, this is ridiculous!!  Do you know how much that stuff is worth?!? 

I can hear them.  Moaning and complaining.  Counting the cost.  Ridiculing the woman.  Ridiculing Jesus.  I hear his voice from the cross - His compassion in life and death - "Father, forgive them.  They don't get it."  And they murmur.  Murmur.  Even the word to describe it sounds foolish.

"....and she broke the box..."

This is so powerful that I have had difficulty continuing to write after typing the phrase above.  It's hard for me to imagine that I can add anything.

The woman that annointed Jesus didn't open the vessel carefully.  She didn't painstakingly peel back the seal or create some small opening through which drops of the precious content could drip lightly upon Him.  She broke the box and poured it out.

What's in the box?  What are you holding on to today that separates you from the full blessings of the Spirit life?  Are you exercising caution as you endeavor to lay your life before Him?  Are there things too precious to turn over to Him?  Are there things you think He won't understand?  Are you afraid that others will call you foolish, wasteful, weak?  "...and she broke the box...."

Get ready for a powerful encounter with your God.  Here's what the Spirit is telling me to tell you right now.  Don't wait another minute.  Right now, get up from your computer.  Stand up and raise your hands toward Heaven.  Begin to repeat the words, "and she broke the box."  Just let the Holy Spirit begin to move in you.  As He ministers to you, imagine yourself breaking open your heart - now release anything that takes up space there that should be occupied by Him.  Break it open!  Pour it out!  This action is a blessing to Him because He wants to know that we love Him and that we trust Him and that we believe, beyond the shadow of a doubt that He can make all things new!! 

"....and she broke the box...."

May you never be the same.  

 Not so fast. You can no more show me your works apart from your faith than I can show you my faith apart from my works. Faith and works, works and faith, fit together hand in glove."  (James 2:18, MSG)

Rhonda went along on a "Pumpkin Patch" field trip with William during the last school year.  The kids all get to pick out a pumpkin, there is a petting zoo and on this particular occasion, a hayride was part of the affair.  A nice touch and, you would think, an exciting time for most 8-year-olds.

As the hayride got underway (very slowly I might add), William sat for a few moments and then said in very cynical manner and tone, "Isn't this ma-gical?"  Classic William humor inherited from his mother!  Great timing, advanced concept, rich with sarcasm.  It's the kind of humor that will make you spit your apple cider all over the person sitting on the bale of hay right across from you!  I have laughed outloud multiple times while writing this paragraph!  Funny!

William is a doer.  He doesn't like to think about things and he does nothing halfway or without enthusiasm.....well.....maybe homework is an exception....:)  He wants to go fast, he wants to go now and he doesn't like to sit back and enjoy the ride!  Sounds a lot like a guy named James!  I'd bet James didn't like slow hayrides either!  He was a doer and we get this theme from him several times during his relatively brief writings in the New Testament.

In his first letter, we hear James telling the church to "be doers of the Word and not hearers only."  In the second chapter he tells us that believing alone won't get it done!  You have to do something!  He quips that even the demons believe, but they are useless for the advancement of the Kingdom. 

I recently cancelled my year long membership to a YMCA located about 30 minutes from where we live.  I had been working in a nearby city and had joined at the urging of some of my co-workers.  I went once and played a little basketball.   I hadn't been back since.  I was paying $35/month last year and I gained 15 pounds.  I'm sure my cholesterol and my blood pressure are both higher than when I signed the "dotted line" over at the Y.  Why?  Because it's not enough to just pay my dues!  I have to go over there and do something!!  Can you imagine buying the P90X package and sitting on your couch with a big Coke and a bag of popcorn watching the people on the video work out - all the while expecting to get ripped?!?!  Of course not!  You have to do something. 

This was James' passion!  True believers are fervent doers.  They sacrifice, they sweat, they work, they pray, they seek out the hurting and the brokenhearted, they pick up pieces and help others rebuild their lives and begin their own journey down the path of service in the Kingdom of God.  I can say I'm anything, but at the end of the day, you'll know what I am by watching what I do, not what I say.  That's reality.  That's James.

Lord, teach us to be doers and not hearers only.  Help us to put the Word into action in the bankrupt and dying world around us today.  It is not enough for us to say we love You.  Our love for you is demonstrated in the love we show to those who need to be fed, clothed, visited and ministered to.  Yes, the map is a scary thing to look at - but if You send us, we will go.  We know we're not in this for the magical hayride.  You say it, and we'll do it.  Amen.

"Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess." (Hebrews 4:14, NIV)

In the 3rd chapter of Hebrews, we are instructed to encourage each other in the Faith.  As I continued to read in Hebrews this morning, I found some encouragement for myself that I wanted to share in the verse above.  Jesus - Our High Priest - Who has gone through the heavens!!  I love the New International Version translation here!  It truly proclaims His Might, His Majesty and His Glory!

I think that all of us deal with some elements of doubt from time to time as we continue on this Light path.  The Narrow way.  It's not a new thing for God's people.  I have often asked "How hard could it be to believe if I had a Pillar of cloud by day and a Pillar of fire by night to remind me that God is ever-present?  Well, it must be harder than it sounds, because hundreds of thousands of the Hebrew children, delivered from captivity in Egypt, found it difficult to maintain their faith even with these constant reminders!  Come on!  They were being fed with manna every morning!!  How much evidence does it take??

We are not so different today, are we?  We have the Word and the fullness of its testimony regarding the life of Jesus and such vivid and certain fulfillment of prophecies coming to fruition with exact accuracy - not a single misstep.  We've seen miracles, we've been on the receiving end of miracles, and we've felt the power of the Holy Spirit overflowing from within us.  God is faithful in His provision for our lives - giving us all we need just when we need it.  You have never been forsaken - and in this world, that's no coincidence - we'd have been gobbled up long ago without the wisdom of God at work in spite of us!  He is real.  His protection and His blessing are forever.

Be encouraged today in your understanding that God is on His Throne, Our "Great High Priest" is seated at His Right Hand and that Our Lord is standing in our stead even as we read these words.  He is mediating for us.  The Father doesn't withhold anything from the Son.  He asks and it is done.  You are secure.  He is holding you.  He is singing over you.  He is Lord. 

You think the West Wing is busy this morning?  You think the Vatican's agenda is full??  Can you imagine the activity in Heaven right now?  Angels ministering to Jesus, Jesus Himself petitioning the Father on our behalf, the incense of the prayers of the Saints rising before the Throne, the music, the martyrs, the Four and Twenty Elders and the millions gone before to be with The Lord singing "Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty!  Early in the morning our songs shall rise to Thee!!!".  The stock exchange floor has nothing on Heaven today!!  These Holy activities are the centerpoint - the hub - of all creation!  They are as real as anything you and I can touch, feel, see or smell in the flesh today.

Armed with this confidence, go tell the world what He has done for you!  Go tell the world what He can do for them! 

Sing praise-songs to God. He's done it all!
 Let the whole earth know what he's done!
Raise the roof! Sing your hearts out, O Zion!
 The Greatest lives among you: The Holy of Israel." (Isaiah 12:5-6, MSG)

"Praise Him, praise Him, all ye little children.  God is love!  God is love!"

What about this one?  "Praise God from Whom all blessings flow!  Praise Him all creatures here below.  Praise Him above Ye Heavenly Host!  Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost.  Amen."

Most often, I wake up with a song in my head.  Only on occasion is the song something secular, but it does happen.  (I'm gonna make some people miserable right here - some of you won't be able to ge these out of your head for awhile...:))  I remember not long ago the song I woke up singing was "I'm Every Woman!" - I know....extremely wierd.  Back near Christmas, I was a couple of days getting "Fever" out of my head and not long ago I woke up with full choruses of "Impossible Dream" bugging my brain!  Thanks, Don Quixote.....thanks alot.

Usually, the songs I wake up to are worship songs and this morning was one of those mornings.  Now, generally speaking, worship songs that capture me have been written by someone else.  Yesterday, I woke up to the tune of "Above All" by Michael W. Smith.  But this morning, I actually had a song buzzing around in my head that God gave me about a year ago during one of my morning worship experiences.  I'll print the words below and I've attached the track at the bottom of this devotion for you to use in some personal praise time today if you like.

Praise is an important part of who you and I are.  Many of you have heard me talk time and time again about worship being the reason we were created.  As most of you may know, studies have shown that essentially everything in the universe has a song.  Not just birds or people.  Scientists have been able to detect vibrations and tones from stars, rocks, plants, planets and water!  Truly, God's creation is a praise creation!  And why not sing?  We've been delivered!  Listen to "Glorious Throne" today, praise Him for all the wonders He has brought about in you and be blessed!!

Glorious Throne

"I will lift my eyes unto the hills,

Where My Strength comes from.

Oh, and I will lift my voice unto the King,

Who is worthy of my praise.

Oh, the mercy of the Lord endures forever!

And His righteousness is far above the Heavens!

Name above all names and King of kings,

Our hearts cry You are worthy, Son of Man!

Glory in the highest, we adore You!

Slain from the foundation of the world.

Healer of all nations, Mighty Fortress,

We cast our crowns before Your Glorious Throne!"

Read 2 Kings 4, the entire chapter.

I know.  It's Tuesday.  If you can't read the scripture above right now, please be sure to read it later.  I know you will be blessed as a result.

Elisha is a wild man!  He visits a city and a woman and her husband take him in and give him the "penthouse suite" while he's in town!  In return for their hospitality, Elisha seeks to understand how he might return the favor.  When the "well-to-do" woman responds claiming there is nothing she needs, Elisha's servant suggests that the couple has no son.  Elisha prophecies that within the year, she will become pregnant and will bear a son.  Not surprisingly, it comes to pass, just like Elisha prophecied.

Years later, the son dies.  The woman, travels to see Elisha.  The husband discourages her from traveling, but she insists.  When Elisha learns of the death of the Shummanite's son, he sends his servant to place Elisha's staff on the boy's face.  Nothing happens.  Elisha then visits the boy's body himself.  He lays down on top of the boy, but nothing happens.  What happens next is interesting.  Elisha gets up, walks back and forth in the room for awhile and then lays down on top of the boy again.  The boy sneezes 7 times and opens his eyes!! 

Two things stood out to me this morning as I read about Elisha.  First, he focused on the needs of those around him.  He found favor with the Shummanite family, but he didn't take wrongful advantage of that situation.  He wanted to give back to those who had blessed him.  In turn, though the couple didn't take him in for any gainful purpose, they were blessed because they had been a blessing.  There is much we can learn there.

Secondly, I am so encouraged that Elisha got up and paced around the room a little bit after initial attempts to raise the boy to life had failed!!  How many times have you done this as you prayed over some situation in your own life or a situation in the life of someone you know and love?!?!  Maybe I'm alone in this, but when I am really pressing in, I often feel the urge to get up and walk around my house, my hotel room or my office and pray!  Most often this is what I do when I know that the only way a situation can turn out for good is if God takes complete control!  Elisha got up and paced around the room because he knew that only God could bring the dead boy back to life!!!  Why do we do the "Elisha Walk"??  I don't know!  What I know is that it worked for Elisha and it has worked for me but I didn't remember that part of the story in 2nd Kings at all!!  I had to share it!!

I agree.  I'm a little odd.  :)  Be blessed today!

"God is strong, and he wants you strong. So take everything the Master has set out for you, well-made weapons of the best materials. And put them to use so you will be able to stand up to everything the Devil throws your way. This is no afternoon athletic contest that we'll walk away from and forget about in a couple of hours. This is for keeps, a life-or-death fight to the finish against the Devil and all his angels." (Ephesians 6:11-12, MSG)

It begins today.  The diet, the smoking cessation attempts, the "But-be-gone, Gut-be-gone" exercise regimen, the get out of debt in 12 months plan, the "read your Bible through in a year" plan, and on and on and on the list goes.  We couldn't start these things on January 1st.  It was still kinda the holidays, ya know?  Monday is a good day to start, right?  Me too.  It begins today.

Whatever positive life or spirit changes you have lined up for 2010, my prayer for you is that you succeed in all of them!!  It will be tough.  Weight is much easier to gain than it is to lose for most of us.  Smoking is a terribly addictive and deadly habit.  Exercise is slightly harder than watching football on television or playing video games where I can leap tall buildings effortlessly, run long distances without getting winded at all and lead men in battle with the calm assurance that I've beat this level before!  And it's hard enough to find time to read our Bibles at all, let alone get through 3 or 4 chapters every day to hit the "One Year" target.  In the wake of a fresh start, we often find ourselves disappointed and discouraged.  But you can do it!

I once heard a wise man say that you cannot commit yourself to doing anything and get it right every time.  You must WILL yourself to do it.  What does that mean?  It means exactly what it says.  You WILL do it.  Not "I am going to try" and not "I commit to doing it when"....when it's convenient and the temperature is 71 degrees, when the stars are aligned, when work is easy and fulfilling and when my team won that big game over the weekend.  It means that regardless of circumstances, regardless of any external or internal influences - no matter how good or bad I feel or what the weather is like - I WILL do what I have said I WILL do.  Period.  No room for second guessing.  No room for I WILL not.  I WILL.

Lord, we have set some goals for ourselves in this coming year, The Year of Fire.  We all have some junk in our lives that we'd like to get rid of and Goodwill isn't accepting it - we have to deal with it.  With Your help, we can win.  Help us to overcome the propensity to procrastinate.  Help us to know that "The Power of 29" can't say to itself that there is still alot of this year left, we have plenty of time.  Help us to understand that "Fire" does not burn without moving or consuming the fuel that feeds it.  Equip us with the mental and physical determination required to accomplish what You have set before us in 2010.  We need to be physically fit in order to travel the globe carrying Your Message of Hope in disease ridden and hostile areas.  We need to make "long-life decisions" - dangerous physical habits may not allow us to do our part for the next 29 years, so remove those from the lives of those held captive by them.  Your Word is what equips us for battle - help us to remain disciplined in our pursuit of You through The Word - every day, without fail.  Help us also to know that for some, there will not be another day - we must reach them now.  Lord, with Your Spirit in us, we can do anything.  Suited up in the armor You issue, we can handle anything the enemy throws at us.  Because You have won, we can win!  We claim all of these things in 2010 and beyond, in Jesus' Name!  Amen! 

The reading is a bit longer today.  Read Acts Chapters 27 & 28.  It's Sunday - you have time!!

What a story!  Paul is a prisoner on a ship bound for Rome.  He and the other 275 passengers aboard including the crew eventually resign themselves to the fact that they are going to run aground.  The crew recommends killing the prisoners, Paul included, so they won't try to escape.  A centurion resists because Paul had found favor with him and Paul's life is spared along with other prisoners.  Those who can swim make for shore.  Those who cannot swim are forced to find a plank, a piece of the ship's stern or some other material that can carry them to the shore.

The island, called Malta, is inhabited by natives that are extremely hospitable.  The chief official of the Island, Plubius, invites some of the victims, including Paul, into his home.  Plubius' father is ill to the point of being bed-ridden.  Paul prays, lays hands on the man and he is instantly healed.  At this report hundreds of other islanders afflicted with sickness and disease come to seek healing from Paul.  All are healed in the Name of Jesus Christ!

Can you imagine the headlines?  "Shipwrecked Prisoner Heals Hundreds!"  I'm willing to bet Paul made the local news! 

Here's what the Lord spoke to me concerning these things:

Many of you are convinced that you cannot be an effective force for God during this "Year of Fire".  You are prisoners, bound by unnecessary guilt.  Your chains are not secured, yet you carry them as though they are locked up tight.  Others say you have run aground.  You are inclined to listen.  You no longer feel the wind at your back.  You have survived the past year only to look forward to the prospect of eeking out another year of existence - lifeless, powerless.

The Lord says, you have not been abandoned.  You will live and not die.  More than this, your circumstances have placed you in a position to speak freedom to those who are captive, peace to those who are afraid, and healing to those who suffer.  You have found favor in My sight.  I am able to deliver you from bondage, to set your feet on shores of hope and use you, yes you, My own creation, My child, to perform great and mighty miracles in My Name.  Do not be afraid.  I am with you.  My riverbed cannot be seen, for the waters are deep.  I will cover you in my Mercy and clothe you with My Peace.  My Spirit will be upon you in this great and wonderful age.

Amen. 

"He went on to open their understanding of the Word of God, showing them how to read their Bibles this way. He said, "You can see now how it is written that the Messiah suffers, rises from the dead on the third day, and then a total life-change through the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed in his name to all nations—starting from here, from Jerusalem! You're the first to hear and see it. You're the witnesses. What comes next is very important: I am sending what my Father promised to you, so stay here in the city until he arrives, until you're equipped with power from on high." (Luke 24:45-49, MSG)

I am claiming 2010 as "The Year of Fire".  The Lord spoke saying: "In these days, fresh fire will fall upon all those who know My Name and serve me.  No more games, no more playtime, no more quiet faith.  Fire will consume all who would receive it.  My Spirit is already with you.  Your Comfort and Assurance is within you.  Release it.  Ignite the Fire that longs to burn wildly within - out of control, wreckless, overwhleming everything in Its path.  I AM the Lord, Your God and above Me there is no other.  I have stayed My mind to release power among My people.  Light will penetrate the deepest darkness.  You will be restored and you will receive unprecedented power.  You will seek out the lost and they will fall into My arms.  Get ready to travel.  You will speak salvation to the nations.  At the mention of My Name, the sick will recover and the dead will rise.  Those who have long been silent will utter the words of Angels.  The meek will rise to their inheritance.  These things will not be done in secret.  My strength will be made evident on city streets, in public places and in the houses of leaders.  Many will see and believe.  What I have spoken will be.  Fire.  Fire.  Fire. 

"He has shown you, O man, what is good;
  And what does the LORD require of you
  But to do justly,
  To love mercy,
  And to walk humbly with your God?" (Micah 6:8, NKJV)

When asked the question "What is the greatest commandment?", Jesus summed up all of life's meaning.  He said, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your mind and all your soul and love your neighbor like you love yourself."  Wow!  That doesn't seem too difficult, does it?  Loving God is easy for sure!  He's awesome!  He created us, He's our Provider, He's our Healer, He's our Strength in time of need and He hears us when we call.  He answers our prayers!  Got that one in the bag.

Loving people is easy as well, right?  Yes - if you don't know any people.  If you're like me (and I'd be willing to bet you are) we think it must be easier for folks to love us than it is to love them.  They have some wierdnesses that make it awkward or they have a negative attitude or they chew with their mouth open.....wake up.....each of us has some wierdness....each of us has things that folks have to work through before they can commit their love to us.

The prophet Micah gave us some solid instructions for how we should live our lives.  I thought it appropriate to focus on those for these next few days of New Year celebration.  His first direction?  "Do Justly."  So why mention "love" Michael?  It's simple - nothing just can exist in the absence of love.  If we love the Father and we love each other the way we love ourselves, what injustice or wrongdoing could really exist?? 

We've learned a few things in the past 118 days about "doing justly".  Remember some of these phrases?  "We do the right thing because it's the right thing."  "If it feels good AFTER, do it!" 

We've been talking about doing justly for many weeks.  Now with the advent of a New Year ahead, we get a chance to continue to make it work in practice.  You know, every baseball pitcher has a thought cross his mind with every start - will this be the day I pitch the perfect game?  Perfect games are less frequent than lottery wins, but the passionate athlete refuses to settle for less than perfection as their expectation of themselves in their sport. 

As we endeavor to "do justly" in 2010, is the thought crossing your mind, "will this be the year I live a perfect life?"  Perfection, while most often unattainable for you and I as humans, should be no less the goal.  What's that phrase?  "Shoot for the moon and even if you miss you're still among the stars."  As 2010 approaches, set lofty goals for yourself, including doing the right thing all day every day. The New Year is a series of 365 days, all of which offer us the opportunity to get it right!  Let's make each one count! 

"The first thing I did was place before you what was placed so emphatically before me: that the Messiah died for our sins, exactly as Scripture tells it; that he was buried; that he was raised from death on the third day, again exactly as Scripture says..." (I Corinthians 3-5, MSG)

2010.  At the time of this writing, we are exactly 1 day, 12 hours, 2 minutes and 2 seconds away.  Here's another figure - 15,569,256,448.  Know what that is?  Let me explain.

There are currently 29 of us that are a part of the membership of this little website.  Let's just suppose that the average age of the members here is 43 (about right).  At an average life expectancy of 72, this puts the average number of years you and I have left to influence the world at roughly....interestingly....29.  Here's what's interesting - if you and I made the commitment to lead 1 person to Christ every year for the next 29 years and each one of those converts leads 1 person to Christ each year after that, we - this little band of misfit Christians (I've faced it - you face it) - could lead the entire population of the world in 2040 to Christ, including all of those who depart the Earth in those 29 years! 

Now, this group could do many things with this data.  Here's what you're thinking right now:  "I think Michael's math is wrong."  "Where's that scientific calculator?  It's in the way until I need it."  "If I lead one person to Christ each year for 29 years and they each lead one person....no way....that number has to be wrong."  "I think the average age of the group is higher."  "I'll never live to see 72."  "Misfit?  Misfit?!?  What nerve, this guy!"

Trust the math. 

Got a personal problem with this challenge?  Do last year's math.  There.  Now you understand what I'm after, don't you?  Pastors and ministers, don't count those led to Christ during your worship services or through small groups.  While we rejoice with you and with the angels for those decisions, please understand that the reality is that church membership and missions giving are on a steep decline.  We will never be able to depend upon the "organization" of the Church to get it done. 

What I'm talking about are deeply spiritual, transformational, one-on-one Christ encounters.  Personal witnessing.  You were lost when we started chatting - now, you're one of God's children.

Where do we begin.  This is where the math is easy.  All 29 of us commit to seek out at least one personal witnessing victory in 2010.  "Michael", you say, "is it really a win/lose proposition?"  Yes.  It is.  Our mission is to gain 1 soul each.  Satan's mission is to keep us from sharing our faith with anyone.  That's warfare.  And we can't just do this thing with a "hit-n-run" mentality.  We will need to disciple the 29 and teach them to do the same.  If we can succeed here, that means in the first year, 29 becomes 58.  Then 116.  Then 232.  Then 464.  Then 928.  Then 1856.  Then 3712..............the power of duplication.  The power of 29.

I claim the world, in Jesus' Name.  It begins here.  It begins with you.  It begins with me.  It begins in 1 day, 12 hours, 2 minutes and 2 seconds.  Amen. 

"And so it turned out that not a person among them was needy. Those who owned fields or houses sold them and brought the price of the sale to the apostles and made an offering of it. The apostles then distributed it according to each person's need." (Acts 4:34-35, MSG)

Another admission.  I hope no one sends me a bill for the therapy I get from writing these!

We were leaving Fazoli's.  I was focused on "did we get everything from the table?"  I was focused on not letting Reid Elizabeth run into the parking lot.  I was twisted up, holding her hand AND trying to hold the door for the family coming in.  My mind was anywhere but on ministry!  Then He spoke to me.  "Drive around to the drive thru window and anonymously pay the bill for the family you just held the door for."  I turned.  I didn't know them.  There was the mother, the father and 3 cute kids.  They didn't appear destitute.  Reid Elizabeth almost pulled away.  Who's riding with me?  Where was it we were going after this?  Gone.

Fast forward to the following afternoon.

We're driving down the road and I say to Rhonda, "You remember that family that I held the door for yesterday when we were leaving Fazoli's?"  She says, "I know what you're going to say.  We should have bought their dinner, shouldn't we?  Oh my gosh, I can't believe we felt the same thing!"  I got upset.  "Why didn't you say something?  Always say something if you feel that way!"  I know.  I am equally at fault, but it's so easy to project, isn't it?  You're right.

For a few minutes, all I could do was simultaneously kick myself for failing to be obedient to the leadership of the Holy Spirit while rejoicing in this precious affirmation of our faith!  God had spoken!  We had not been obedient, but being the "forever optimist" I am, I couldn't help but think about the fact that God had spoken to both of us. 

And He will speak to all of us in the coming year.  Please, let's learn from my disobedience.  In the song "Rescue Me" I wrote of some very similar situations where God has spoken and I have failed to respond.  "Did I miss my chance to unwittingly entertain you?"  I have posted that song to the website in the "Sneak Peeks" section for you to listen to today.

Let me say that there have been many times when I DID listen and WAS obedient.  Rhonda is even more sensitive to that benevolent leadership than I am.  So God's voice doesn't always fall on deaf ears.  I'm sure you have been obedient as well at the prompting of the Holy Spirit at times.  But we can all likely confess times where we have heard the voice of God, but failed to respond.

So, let's make a commitment in the year 2010 and beyond to be fully obedient to the promptings and the leadership of the Holy Spirit.  As we journey through the time and the space ahead of us, let's commit to one another that we will listen and we will move at the slightest "unction".  Move over, E.F. Hutton.  When God speaks, people listen.

Before I finish this entry, I'm sure a scripture will come.  I must admit, I'm struggling.  Can you forgive me?  More aptly, can you relate?  Man, the Advent season had me so pumped up!  I was so focused and almost jumped out of the bed every morning to get into the Word and develop that day's devotion!  Not once did I struggle with what to write!!  But now....oh....now......

The lights aren't twinkling.  I don't have time to keep the fireplace stoked (have to brag that I kept a continuous fire going in my fireplace for over 100 hours during Christmas week!!).  The music is much less themed or focused.  I reconciled my checkbook!!  AAGGHHH!!  Suffice it to say, the "magic" is over!

Now, to ad insult to injury, we took the tree down today - it will make excellent fish habitat in our dear friend Charolette's lake.  The decorations are boxed.  The huge pile of trash will overtake the end of our driveway in the morning.  The living room feels so big and a little cool.  Stark.  Blah.

Here it is....I told you it would come....

" The revelation of God is whole
  and pulls our lives together.
 The signposts of God are clear
  and point out the right road.
 The life-maps of God are right,
  showing the way to joy." (Psalm 19:7 & 8, MSG)

There you go!  Here's the reassurance that there is no "over" with Christmas!!  Life is the season of JOY!  He pulls us together!  He points The Way!!  And He shows us the way to JOY!! 

So here's what we're going to do.  I beg you to join me! 

I'm not putting away the Nativity Scene this year!  If you already put it away, pull it back out!!  I'm leaving ours on display as a year-round reminder that there is no end to the Joy and the Peace that come from knowing that God has come!  That He was among us!  That He loved us so much!  "But people will ask why we left it out, Michael."  Exactly!!  What a door!  What an opening to share with others the Message - The Good News!  He Was, Is and Is To Come!

Take a picture of your year-round nativity and send it to me on the website!!  I already feel better!!  Thank you, Lord! 

"But make sure that you don't get so absorbed and exhausted in taking care of all your day-by-day obligations that you lose track of the time and doze off, oblivious to God." (Romans 13:11, MSG)

Many of us return to work in a few hours.  Sure, most of us will likely be able to squeeze a couple more days out of this holiday deal, but we have to return sometime!  Actually, those of us who are gainfully employed need to give thanks to God often.  In our current economic climate, we are blessed to be able to provide for our families.  We also need to spend time praying for those who are, without choice, not working right now.  I can only believe that this holiday season has already been very painful for those who have lost jobs in the past year and have been unable to find any other work.  Father, give them peace.  Jehovah Jireh, provide, in Jesus' Name.

Romans 13:11 gives us some excellent New Year advice - read it again.  Folks, another year has passed.  Another year is passed.  Another year is passed.  Where did it go and what did you do with it??  In classic prison movies, there is almost always a scene depicting a prisoner with a wall calendar.  On the calendar, the days past have been marked through with an X, symbolizing time served.  The prisoner is counting the days until his or her release.  When I was in school, an "X" was a mark against you.  It was the method by which the instructor indicated that your response was incorrect.  I never got any, but I saw them on other folks' papers and was always curious as to what it meant...:).  Okay, maybe I had a couple of those "marks"....

So imagine with me a different type of calendar.  Imagine a calendar with the days of the past year all on one page - the year "At-A-Glance".  Now imagine that all of the days have marks on them.  "X's" mean failures - those days when you failed to do anything productive for the Kingdom of God - and "check marks" mark days where you made the time count for the cause of Christ.  Go ahead, close your eyes and imagine.

What's the tally?  How many X's?  How many checkmarks?  Disappointing?  Me, too.

Here's the exciting part.  The marks on the page are reflective of days past.  They do not reflect the future and they don't control it.  We do.  While we need a heapin' helpin' of forgiveness for the days lost in the past year, we also need to pray for the strength and the courage to take full advantage of the "clean slate" that is before us.  We have the opportunity to get the perfect "grade" during the 365 days that are 2010.  They are all in front of us and we, with the power of the Holy Spirit in our camp, can absolutely have a calendar full of check marks!!  A life truly making a difference in the lives of those we come into contact with from day to day.

So..."don't get so absorbed and exhausted in taking care of all your day-by-day obligations that you lose track of the time and doze off, oblivious to God."  Make it count!! 

(Sigh)....

There.  It's over.  The pressure and the hustle and bustle are, for the most part, over.  There are still a few dinners left and some will travel to other family members' homes over this weekend (as we are today).  But, in essence, the Christmas season has come to a close.  For the next week, however, the "holiday" season is still upon us with the New Year approaching.  The ball drops and 2009 goes into the history books.  We will reflect upon what we have accomplished, what we wish we had accomplished and the things we may do differently in 2010.  2010.  Sounds like a number out of a sci-fi flick, doesn't it?  2010.

With the secular celebration of Christmas, it ends here.  Folks will try to recover from all the festivities.  They will set out more trash than any other week of the year.  They'll get less mail than they have for the last few weeks with all the Christmas cards.  They will sit down and try to figure out how they will now pay all their bills.  For many, paying for Christmas will have only begun - sadly.

What about for you and me?  Well....as believers - nothing changes!  We continue to celebrate the fact that Jesus was born, became flesh, lived perfectly, touched thousands, died sinless and rose again.  We move into the New Year with the confidence that He has ascended to sit at the right hand of the Father and that He is preparing a place for us and will come back to rapture His Church - His Bride - and we will forever be with the Lord!!  What joy is this?!?!? 

Over the course of the next week, we'll spend some time developing some commitments for the New Year together.  But for now, rest in the Joy that only comes from knowing Jesus all the time!!  Many folks without Him will become depressed and despondent.  But you and I know Jesus!!  Take the opportunity to continue your rejoicing and don't miss important opportunities to recognize emptiness in others and talk to them about eternal JOY!!  What a great gift to give AFTER Christmas!!  Give them Jesus!!

"But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them." (Acts 16:25, NKJV)

Okay.  I know what you're thinking.  What on earth does this scripture have to do with Christmas?  Michael, is that the best you can do on Christmas morning?  After all the Luke chapter 2 references over the course of the last 26 days of the Advent season, the day finally arrives and you go to a story about Paul and Silas?  Wierd.

I can see how this could throw you, but I have good reason.  :)

Last night, I got into more of an assembly project than I had anticipated with one of Reid Elizabeth's gifts.  What I thought might take 15 minutes and I could do myself, took Trey and I nearly 3 HOURS together!!  Never fails!  So, Trey and I got some quality time together - and that turned out to be just as unexpected as the time it took to assemble the toy.

At midnight, Trey looked up at me from his iPod and said, "Merry Christmas.  It's officially Christmas."  I couldn't believe it was already midnight.  I wasn't really having fun with the instructions NASA provided for the toy I was assembling..:), but the time was flying by.

As he announced Christmas had arrived, I asked him to sit down beside me for a few minutes to reflect on the true meaning of Christmas and to worship.  As we sat there, I asked Trey, "Do you remember the story about Paul and Silas singing in prison?"  He said, "Yeah."  I said, "Let's sing.  I wanna sing 'O Come All Ye Faithful'."  And so we started.  As we sang, both of us felt the Holy Spirit's overwhelming presence in our garage.  We finished singing and I prayed.  We were silent for many moments - both of us crying - both of us worshipping silently - Emmanuel had come to us.

For sometime after that, we continued working on our nuclear experime.....I mean....our toy assembly project.  We worked in near silence for awhile.  Both occasionally mentioning the powerful experience we had just had together.  I hope you have already worshipped the King of Kings today.  I hope you and your family members will take time to worship Him and to adore Him just as we did.  The blessing is awesome!  If you need a venue, our garage is available - and the distractions of the assembly projects are now gone and the Christmas (Holy) Spirit is there!

Merry Christmas!  Peace to you all!

"As the angel choir withdrew into heaven, the sheepherders talked it over. 'Let's get over to Bethlehem as fast as we can and see for ourselves what God has revealed to us.' They left, running.........." (Luke 2:15 & 16, MSG)

This is it.  Not Michael Jackson's tour title.  This is the night.  This is the night on which we traditionally observe that the Angel choir mentioned in Luke 2 sang to the shepherds and announced the birth of the Messiah.  The Message tells us that "the sheepherders talked it over" and then "they left, running!"

For the last few days of the Advent season, we've been focused on anticipating the arrival of Emmanuel and preparing our hearts and our minds to make room for the King of Kings.  Tonight, we move.  Tonight, as children hurry to bed (the one night every year when we generally get no argument there) and as "visions of sugarplums dance", I want to challenge you who have been reading these Advent devotions to allow the culmination of all we have learned to bring you to a position and a posture of reverence and worship. 

When all the gifts are wrapped and prepared, the cookies and milk are set out on the table and the embers of the fire begin to drift slowly into nothingness, kneel before your coming King.  Look upon the face of the One Who has come to deliver us from all our sin.  At midnight tonight, I will be there.  I will allow the presence of the Holy Spirit to transport me to another time and another place.  A place where wonder reigns.  The cooing of the doves, the breathing of the cattle, the excited chatter of those in attendance.  I smell the hay, the straw, the wood of the manger.  I see the God-woven bond, the love between a man and a woman.  I see the Face of God.  I knew He would come.  I have prepared Him room.  I run and worship at His feet.  Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

O Come, Let us adore Him!  O Come, Let us adore Him!  O Come, Let us adore Him!  Christ the Lord!!  For He alone is worthy!  For He alone is worthy!  For He alone is worthy!!  Christ the Lord!!!

Today is the boys' favorite day of their entire Christmas break - NOT.  Yep, it's garage clean-up day!  We clean the garage about once a month on average, but the Christmas cleaning is special!  We need to make room for new toys - both children's toys and bigger boy toys...:)  I got a new truck for Christmas - I have to clear a spot!!  Thank you, Lord (and, of course, Rhonda...:))!!

Lots of folks do a little cleaning out of their storage areas just before Christmas.  You have to get rid of some of the old stuff to make room for all the new stuff!  One Christmas, we should just repackage some of the stuff we have in storage and save some money!  We have some great stuff from years past.  Stuff I forgot we had - it would still be a surprise!

 When John was out there in the middle of nowhere screaming about "making the road straight", he was telling those who heard to get ready.  They had long awaited the coming Messiah and unknowingly to most, He had already come.  John had been born just a few months before Jesus was born in Bethlehem and John knew what his mission was.  His job?  Prepare the way.  Much like our annual garage clean-up, Advent is a time of preparation - a time of cleaning out some of the old junk we carry around in order to make room for new blessings He offers us as we reflect on both His First and Second trips to Earth.

Here's what I want us to focus on together as we "prepare the way" this Christmas Season:

You have sinned.  No. I'm not just talking to those who haven't established an eternal personal relationship with Him.  I'm talking to every reader.  Christian, you have sinned.  And no matter the amount of Grace offered for our sin, the guilt burden still has to be dealt with.  So today - right now - release the guilt of your sin and lay it at the foot of the cross. 

Here's the eternal struggle - my sin separates me from God.  Hey, your imperfections are basically evidence that you're still breathing.  As followers of Christ, we may not be of the world, but let's remember - we are in the world - and the world can be a tough place to sustain righteousness.  We make mistakes.  Through the ages, God-fearing, Gospel-crying servants of the Cross have taken missteps.  It doesn't make it right, and we shouldn't use Grace as a license to just sin repeatedly.  But the message of Grace is that there is only one perfect person - Jesus.  And because He is righteous, we can surrender our guilt burden to Him, commit our lives more fully to His ways and become closer to what He created us to be every day. 

Wanna really have a more deeply Spirit-filled Christmas this year?  Focus on the greatest Gift ever given.  Jesus Christ came to show us how to live.  He also came to prove to us His love for us.  He laid down His life for billions of friends - including you and me.  His righteousness seals ours.  The chains of guilt and oppression have been broken!  He is interceding for us before the Throne.  He never sleeps.  He never gives up on us.  He wants to give us life more abundant - free from the oppression of the death sentence imposed upon us by our sin. 

Can you imagine this?  A prisoner, sentenced to death for crimes he did commit, is led to the place of execution.  He is asked to say any last words, the noose is tightened around his neck.  At the moment the hangman is to drop the trap door under the prisoner's feet, another person removes the noose from the condemned man's neck, says, "You're forgiven" and allows the prisoner to walk away from the gallows, the prison - back into the fullness of freedom and light.  Can you imagine that the guilty party would refuse such treatement?  Can you see them hanging on to the noose?  Can you imagine them trying to fight off their deliverer?  Of course not!  So...let it go, lay it down and let God's Grace flow freely in your life as we celebrate the Coming King - Our Deliverer! 

Get rid of that junk.  Make some room.  Prepare the way.

"I'm thunder in the desert: 'Make the road straight for God!" (John 1:23, MSG)

In the KJV, John the Baptist is quoted as saying, "I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness!  Make straight the way of the Lord!"  In other versions, he proclaims, "Prepare the way of the Lord."

Regardless the translation, the message is consistent and clear.  Get ready - He's coming!  John, Jesus' cousin, knew this.  He had been born to be the contemporary prophet that would spend his entire life heralding the imminent coming of the promised Messiah.  And he did his job well!  What does "make straight the way" mean?  Anticipate, prepare, and move.

On this 24th day of Advent, let's focus together on the first meaning - anticipate.  The magi had been anticipating the coming of the prophesied Messiah.  Do you suppose they were novice philosophers or students of the books of prophecy?  Was it a stroke of luck in response to a meaningless whim that placed them in the presence of the King of Kings after the long journey to Judea?  Of course not!  I suspect the wise men had been following the many prophecies that had already been fulfilled and so they set out on their journey full of faith and anticipation!  And the reward was that they followed a star and they came face to face with the Creator of the Universe - robed in flesh - perfect, sinless, Savior.

Reader, I have seen deaf ears opened.  I have experienced miracles in the desert.  I have seen those given for dead raised to fullness of life in Christ.  I have seen the supernatural.  I have heard the voice of Angels.  Make straight the way of the Lord!!  We are not dealing with a fairytale.  We are not followers of a myth.  I believe in what is foretold because I have seen what has already been manifest among us!!  We fail to experience a move of the Spirit because we fail to anticipate a move of the Spirit!!  "Come, Thou Long EXPECTED Jesus!!!"  Just as the wise men knew that they would find the Child, believe that you will find Him.  He is coming.  Expect Him and make ready.   

"Whenever you did one of these things to someone overlooked or ignored, that was me—you did it to me." (Matthew 25:40, MSG)

I could write 1000 daily devotionals and never come even remotely close to sharing the heart of Christ more effectively than my amazing wife conveyed it to me yesterday.

Rhonda teaches at a local high school.  Through her 11 years teaching, she has always taken an active interest in her students.  She is certainly concerned with their academic performance and many former students have returned home for college breaks, tracked her down in her classroom and thanked her for preparing them for the rigors of collegiate literature and composition courses.  She is a good teacher - no doubt.  While she is a great teacher, that is not the best benefit of having her as your instructor.  Rhonda really cares about her students.  That's not some superficial statement.....she truly cares about them.  She is concerned when they slack, gets concerned when they don't appear rested, worries about those who seem to have depression issues and grieves with those students who experience loss in their lives - loss of friends or loved ones to tragedy or disease.  I have seen her grieve with them.  I have heard her pray for them.  I have seen her reach out to them and show them love.  Last night, I saw this again.

One of Rhonda's students lost her mother to cancer more than a year ago.  For a couple of weeks, Rhonda has talked about this girl's situation and how much she hurt for her.  Rhonda and her sisters, of course, are currently dealing with the slow loss of their own mother to Pick's Disease, an Alzheimer's "like" disease that includes dementia and loss of function over a period of years.  It is a painful process to watch.  Rhonda and her sisters could easily slip into deep depression, lash out at God with accusations of unfairness and claim no capacity for caring beyond their own circumstance.  In sharp contrast, they have managed to maintain their faith in God and work toward the best possible care for their mother during these difficult times.  God's presence is evident.  For Rhonda, instead of wallowing in her own situation, she continues to recognize the needs of others, yields to the leadership of the Holy Spirit and ministers to young hearts that are lonely and hurting.

Earlier in the week, Rhonda mentioned this young girl again and commented that this must be such a tough time for her.  She had a conversation with the girl during which Rhonda asked how she was doing and the girl had responded with the fact that this is the first Christmas they were spending where the reality of her mother's absence was sinking in.  So Rhonda, moved with compassion set out to try to fill some of the void in this young girl's life.  Knowing that the girl likely used to spend time during the holidays cooking and baking with her mother, Rhonda planned to bake come cookies and deliver them to the girl's home.  She baked a huge batch of cookies, placed them in a beautiful tin, loaded all of us up in a vehicle and set out on her mission.

We finally located the home and Rhonda stepped out of the car and the girl met her in the driveway.  Rhonda handed her the tin of cookies along with a card.  They hugged, exchanged a few words, hugged again, chatted for a few seconds and the girl reached out and hugged Rhonda again.  As she turned back toward the vehicle, I could already see her fighting back the tears.  What I saw in her face was the total face of Christ.  The look of compassion overtook her countenance.  She got into the vehicle and the tears flowed.  Her heart was broken and filled with compassion.  I have never seen greater love.

I have no color commentary to add.  It is simple.  Reach out to someone with the gift of love and compassion during this season.  My wife is the presence of God to those around her - a true disciple.  A rock.  I could only hope to be more like her.  Let's all give it a shot.

"Wolf and lamb will graze the same meadow, lion and ox eat straw from the same trough..." (Isaiah 65:17, MSG)

All Dogs Go To Heaven....one of those movies that I hear about but have absolutely no interest in seeing.  Now, let me say I've seen my share of movies that didn't exactly challenge me intellectually or interest me in the least!  I often wonder if I'm going to be able sit through another Barney or Dora or Air Bud movie!!  The great thing is that with a 2-year-old, the likelihood of having to sit through the entire thing is slim at best!!

What does all this have to do with Christmas?  Well....I woke up thinking about animals and the manger.  (Yes, I recognize that you do not have read these devotions!! :))  But think with me for a minute - when Jesus was born, He was born in a stable.  Mary and Joseph weren't alone there.  Sure, the shepherds came and others might have been there, but we know that it is highly probable that there were some cattle, maybe some sheep and a donkey or two in attendance.  And I don't think it at all far-fetched to believe that those animals worshipped right along with the people near the manger!  I believe the entire scene was filled with reverence and that the people AND animals near the Baby were honoring Him.  We are still honoring Him today!

The Bible speaks of both a past world and a promised world where animals appear to be a part of the landscape.  Prophecy notes that the "wolf and the lamb" will graze in the same field.  Is this only figurative?  Is it referring to animals or nations?  Honestly, I don't know for sure.  What I do know is that, either way, it is a scenario that reflects upon Christ as the ultimate Peace Maker.  The Prince of Peace has come and all things are possible through Him!  Today, let's celebrate the Peace that comes from knowing Him!

"Lo, how a Rose e'er blooming
from tender stem hath sprung!
Of Jesse's lineage coming,
as those of old have sung.
It came, a floweret bright,
amid the cold of winter,
when half spent was the night."

This year, we decided to go with a fresh cut tree as our Christmas tree.  We did this for a couple of reasons.  First, Rhonda and I both remember having them in our homes when we were children.  As a matter of fact, when I was a kid we would usually cut down about a 13 foot tree, trim it slightly and place it in the center of the peak of the cathedral ceiling in our living room.  It was a lot of work and the tree most often had to be wired to the wall to keep it standing, but it was always beautiful.  And the smell....mmm....nothing like it!

Secondly, you might not believe this, but buying a freshly cut tree is actually the "green" alternative.  Artificial trees ultimately end up in a landfill.  Fresh cut trees are grown specifically for the purpose of decoration which helps support agriculture in many areas of the country and, after Christmas, the tree can be used to provide fish habitat in lakes or ponds or ground cover for small animals like rabbits and game birds.  Many communities offer free "chipping" of discarded cut trees.  The chips can be used for many green purposes. I'm told that fresh cut trees are even much better than "live" trees (in ball and burlap form) because about 90% of those trees brought inside for Christmas and then replanted actually don't survive the temperature transition.  These are the facts!

Okay, Michael......what about the devotion?  Sorry.

Why are there so many references to flowers, trees, etc. during the Christmas season?  Why is Christ referred to as a "rose" or sometimes compared to an evergreen tree?  Remember the Elvis Christmas song "Mama Liked the Roses"??  I always thought that one was strange....... Well, these references are symbolic of the Life infused into the world by Jesus' arrival.  The evergreen, in particular, is symbolic.  The evergreen tree can withstand the harshest of winter winds and weather.  Amid blizzards, driving rain or sleet and freezing temperatures, the evergreen maintains its beautiful and lush form.  It does not wither and it does not move.  Even under the weight of heavy snow, the branches yield and support - but they do not break.

The nature of the evergreen is compared to the faithfulness of God in our lives and it is reflective of the fact that Jesus did not break even though He was exposed to such harsh treatment in the flesh.  In spite of His suffering, He remained faithful to God's plan.  He yielded to the call upon His life and continues to flourish today as Messiah, Emmanuel, The Prince of Peace.

This year, as you look at your tree, be reminded of His faithfulness to us, His sacrifice and the promise of His return! 

"...and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them." (Luke 2:18, NIV)

"This, this is Christ the King,
Whom shepherds guard and Angels sing;
Haste, haste, to bring Him laud,
The Babe, the Son of Mary."

Just as people asked this question regarding John the Baptist after he was born and his father's speech returned, "What manner of child will this be?", so the shepherds and all they shared their experience with must have been asking about the Christ Child.  Translated today?  "That's one special kid!  He's really gonna make something of Himself!"

One of the lines in the song quoted above that stands out to me especially is the invitation to worship Him.  "Haste, haste to bring Him laud."  I know that some folks must think I sound like a broken record or believe I am short on original material because you will often hear me make reference to the fact that worship is the reason we were created.  I just can't leave it alone!  I am ever mindful - and all of us should be - that the very reason God created mankind was for relationship.  The tragedy is that so many folks wait so long to begin their worship journey _ or they miss it altogether!

The writer of "What Child Is This?" must have felt something that I feel.  Hurry!  We only believe that there are 7 shopping days left until Christmas.  More importantly, we should recognize that we don't know how many days are left until Jesus splits the Eastern sky and returns to claim his Bride, the Church - yes - I believe that His return is a literal, physical descension!  Before we plan our day, we should include a note that the schedule is "subject to change without notice".  He is coming again!  It could be today!

What Savior Is This?  Don't waste time thinking about worshipping Him!  Haste, haste!  Hurry!  Worship Him now! 

"But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people...." (Luke 2:10, NIV)

"Stock Market Plummett Strikes Fear Chord on Wall Street".  "Economists Fear Worst Is Yet to Come."  "Fear of Copy-Cat Shooters Looms."  "Neighborhood Residents Afraid Burglary Spree Is Not Over."  "Fear Dominates Life in Mexico's Deadliest City."  "Coastal Residents Fear Hurricane's Wrath - & Aftermath."

Messages about, warnings over and references to FEAR dominate the ariwaves, the print press and our conversations about the world and its current and future condition.  We are all afraid at times during the course of life.  The world is a scary place and terrible things happen - even to good people.  Fear is a natural reaction.  But there is a supernatural cure.

When the angels announced the coming of the Messiah to the shepherds, they prefaced their announcement with these words - "Do not be afraid."  Interestingly, Jesus' first recorded words following His resurrection were - "Do not be afraid."  The announcement had come full circle.  You can take these references at face value and believe that the angels were just trying to calm the shepherds down to a level that would render them capable of hearing and understanding the good news or that Jesus was just trying to keep Mary Magdalene from running out of the garden because she had seen a "ghost".  But I think there is much more to be found here. 

When the angels announced the birth of the Christ Child, they were in essence saying, "You don't have to be afraid anymore!"  They were announcing the coming of the long awaited Messiah!  The King of Kings!  The Prince of Peace!  Remember that the shepherds were a part of a defeated people and lived in an occupied nation!  Their country had been overtaken by the powerful and dominating Roman Empire.  Israel was a war-torn and captive nation!  The angels came to announce that terror's reign was over and that eternal Peace had come!  "Do Not Be Afraid!!"

When Jesus spoke those words to Mary in the garden on that first ressurection morning, He wasn't just trying to keep her from running away!  He was telling her that she didn't have to be afraid anymore!!  The fear and uncertainty associated with the death experience, the fear of eternal punishment and separation from God our Maker had been defeated!  The veil had been torn at the point of His death, but the full access to the Throne Room was established when Jesus retrieved the keys!!  Do not be afraid!!!

It's not a Christmas carol, but maybe it should be.  I love these words! 

"Because He lives, I can face tommorrow.

Because He lives, all FEAR is gone!!

Because I know, He holds the future.

And life is worth the living, just because He lives!"

"Do Not Be Afraid!!"

"Where can we find and pay homage to the newborn King of the Jews? We observed a star in the eastern sky that signaled his birth. We're on pilgrimage to worship him." (Matt. 2:2, MSG)

A prophecy and a star.  That's all the wise men had.  Can you imagine the faith it must have required to set out on that journey with just those two things?  What courage!  This was no ordinary road trip.  They had to journey into Roman territory, risk being accused as spies, and travel on the backs of camels, burros or horses (we don't really know which).  And we really don't know how long the journey was.  Some scholars believe that these men could have actually been of Jewish descent as they had obviously studied the Old Testament and believed in the coming of the Messiah.  Regardless, they had to travel a long way.

They saw a light and they followed it.  Once they set foot on the journey and fully committed, they were also unable to return "by the same way they came" because of Herod's fascination with them and his obsession with their objective.  There is so much symbolism here, but most important to me is that they could not return by the way they came.

As Christians, taking on the mantle of Grace and placing Jesus at the center of our hearts as Lord, we cannot continue to travel on the path that brought us to that place.  We cannot return to our old self.  We are a new creature!  Pope Gregory I was the first to present this comparison between the journey of the wise men and the surrendring of one's life to the Cross, speaking of the changing power of the presence of Christ in our lives and of the guidance and protection offered to us through our personal relationship with God.

During this Christmas season, as you reflect upon the star that adorns the top of your tree or as you hear the songs speaking of the "Star of Bethlehem", set your mind to know that once exposed to the Light of the World, you can never return to the darkness.  You  are forever changed.

"And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive." (Acts 20:35, NKJV)

The elementary school our children have attended has an annual tradition called "Christmas Shop".  This is where gifts are donated to the PTO and they resell them to the children for a small fraction of the regular cost as a fundraiser.  The idea is that this is where children can select gifts for their siblings or parents in an independent and inexpensive way.  It's a pretty neat thing.  Giving is a dying art and children need to begin learning how to give at an early age.  I appreciate the school leadership for offering that opportunity.

I have also been the recipient of several....er....interesting gifts as a result of the "Christmas Shop" initiative.  There was the set of....well....what we eventually called "snow scoopers".  In reality, to this day I have no idea what they really are and Trey had no idea what they were when he bought them for me!  He just wanted to buy me something he thought I could use!  The most prized gift that William has gotten me at the Christmas Shop thus far?  A ceramic handy-man bobble head!  He could not care less about the leaking sink in the upstairs bathroom!  He thinks I could fix anything and so he bought me something that represented his concept of "Daddy"!  You could buy me a 2 ton block of gold that I would not deem as precious as those gifts!  Why?  Because they are truly from the heart!  Nothing could be of more value to me!

During this Season of Giving, be careful to remember that in giving, you are blessing those who receive.  Give thoughtful and meaningful gifts.  When God gave us His only Son, He wanted to give us His most prized Possession!!  He spared no expense and gave selflessly! 

Don't overspend.  Don't go into deep debt!  Even little gifts can have huge impacts, so be creative and bless the people on your giving list!  And here's one more suggestion - pray over that list!  Pray that those people you are giving to this year will be blessed and have favor with God and with men.  Pray that their sorrows may be turned to Joy, that their pain may turn to Peace that their lives will count for the Kingdom in giant ways during the coming year!  In Jesus' Name, Amen!

"And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn." (Luke 2:7, NKJV)

Yesterday, during worship at our church, the team incorporated a couple of Christmas Carols.  I always enjoy that so much.  Carols are really very worshipful and I have incorporated them into worship lists several times - even outside the normal time thought of as the Christmas season.  "O Come All Ye Faithful" is an awesome worship tune - "O come let us adore Him, Christ the Lord!"  What a great corporate worship song!

During worship yesterday, we sang "Joy To The World".  During that time of worship one phrase spoke to me more than any other.  "Let every heart, prepare Him room".  I had been talking with someone earlier in the week and the topic of ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) impacting kids in our world today came up.  Let me preface my thoughts here by saying that I have a tremendous amount of respect for the both the medical and mental helath professions and the research that is done in the world of psychology and psychiatry to address the crisis impact of these types of situations upon the human mind - young and old.  But in my simple way, I have to question why ADHD wasn't an issue before satellite television, video games, shopping malls and text messaging interrupted tree climbing, rock skipping and barn exploration.  I am convinced that the real disorder belongs to the world - not the world's children!! 

There are so many distractions and so much multitasking for all age groups that I struggle to understand how we can be surprised to find people in this condition of attention deficit!  In truth, the human mind really is not designed to be so overwhelmed with information and distracted by so many options??  Think I'm off base?  How many Amish kids are diagnosed with ADHD?? 

Call me a simpleton and an extremist, but I believe that ADHD develops into educational failure, unemployment and the collapse of partiotism, sprituality and freedom as we know it in the world today.  You cannot reset life!!  There are no cheat codes to navigate through the world's hardships!  If you aren't fully satisfied in your circumstances and your relationships, you cannot simply turn to one of the other 800 channels and escape!!  Think life is hard for the child diagnosed with ADHD today?  We have yet to experience the potential horrors of this generation being responsible for carrying the torch of evangelism, integrity and goodness into the future. 

What can we do?  I struggle to find answers here.  I must admit that my own children are at risk.  They must believe they can conquer the world with a game controller.  I struggle to cope with "depriving" them of the same "stuff" their friends have.  I wrestle with believing the lie that if I shleter them too much, they will be in some way, considered strange among their circle of friends.  And ultimately, I want them to be happy.  Parents, how do we rescue this generation and help them find their way in this confusing and messed up world we have helped to create for them?!?!

I'll close with this - prepare Him room.  While we may not be "of" the world, we are IN it.  And The Word does not tell us that there are better days ahead.  Actually, it will become much worse before Jesus reigns supreme here.  You and I have a responsibility first to ensure that we are making room for Him in our own hearts.  The world must see Jesus in us.  for our children, it may be the only Jesus they ever experience.  Secondly, we have to ensure that amid the stress and the struggles associated with a fast moving and confusing world in which we live, we take time to teach our children to love, to dream and, most importantly, keep Christ at the center of all they are and all they think, say and do.  Equip their hearts, guard their minds and let the Holy Spirit fill the voids before the junk can fill them.  There is Hope in a lost and dying world.  His Name is Jesus.

"No more let sin and sorrow reign, nor thorns infest the ground!"

 you are one of the smallest towns

 in the nation of Judah.

 But the LORD will choose

 one of your people

 to rule the nation..." (Micah 5:2, CEV)

Podunk.  Backwoods.  Don't blink or you'll miss it.  Not on the map.  The GPS doesn't list it.  What was the name of that place again?

Those are just a few of the comments you might have heard regarding Bethlehem if Jesus were being born in modern times.  I'm sure folks had their names for places like that back then, too.

The fact is that God chose Bethlehem, a city known only for its association to King David's lineage, as the place where the coming of Messiah would be heralded for the world to hear!  Now it's on the map, huh?!?!  Songs have been written about it and in millions of homes during the Christmas Season, we set out our ceramic, wooden or other precious form of the manger scene depicting what Bethlehem might have looked like at the time of Jesus' miraculous arrival there.  The little town apparently had only one place you could lodge overnight and now it is a tourist Mecca!!  Bethlehem has "come a long way, baby!"

Where or what is your Bethlehem?  "Nothing good can come out of (insert your hometown, your school, your servant calling, for some - even your name)."  What negative stuff are you holding on to?  What weakness or insecurity is it that is keeping you from fulfilling your true purpose - your destiny in Christ and the work of the Kingdom?  What have you heard folks say about you that has you backed into a corner - in a defensive posture - immobilized and useless for the cause of Christ??

What was so special about Bethlehem?  God chose it.  And that's all it takes!  What could possibly be special about you?  God has chosen you!!  And that's all it takes!  Our humble beginnings, our bad reputation, our wrongdoings and the pain we have caused others and ourselves - these things don't have to hinder or prevent our doing great and wonderful things in the Name of Jesus!!  His Grace abounds and turns the filth of our human existence into a shining raiment!!  The Father no longer sees our sin - He sees The Blood soaked heart - and He rejoices!!  He alone can take the ordinary and accomplish the extraordinary!!

He is the ultimate reference on your life's resume!  His is the ultimate recommendation!  What He blesses, no man can curse.  What He prospers, no man or situation can wither.  What He saves cannot be lost.  And who He calls cannot falter in Christ.

The Word promises that we "are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light." (I Peter 2:9, NKJV)

Just as He set Bethlehem on the world's center stage, He has a plan and a purpose for your life that makes you a rock star in His Kingdom!!  Receive His annointing, take hold of the Blessing and move in the awesome power of His Holy Spirit to achieve the extraordinary in Him!  "You who are small - He will choose you!"

"Where can we find and pay homage to the newborn King of the Jews? We observed a star in the eastern sky that signaled his birth. We're on pilgrimage to worship him." (Matthew 2:2, MSG)

The King James Version of the verse above declares, "[we] are come to worship Him."  We have no idea what their names were, exactly where they came from or what happened to them after they visited the home of Mary and Joseph to bring gifts to Jesus, the Christ Child.  What we do know is that the Magi - the wise men from the east - believed Jesus to be everything He said He was - everything that had been prophesied - and they were forever changed.

You and I were created for the same purpose!  The Father created us in His own image that we might be friends and companions - soul mates with the Creator of the Universe!  He wanted to spend time with us - to love us and to be our God.  Just like the Magi, we are come to worship Him.

In the movie The Nativity Story produced a few years ago, one of the Magi is reluctant to come along on the long and arduous journey to Palestine.  But he ultimately catches up to the entourage and does see the promised Child.  His reaction is one of wonder!  He can hardly believe what he is seeing, the fulfillment of so much promise!  Since the Babylonian captivity, many Jews had continued to live in the areas east of the Roman empire.  This magi, this astronomer, had likely heard the stories and prophecies regarding the Messiah from the time he was a small child!  And now - face to face.

We have heard, many have been reluctant, but now we are forever changed!  And someday, you and I will stand before the One Who knew no sin.  We will look upon His face with wonder and we will worship Him - Our Deliverer - Messiah - JESHUA!!!!

Today, click on the Cold Bethlehem Night Video link on the Simple Simon Home page and experience the wonder of His coming!!! 

"I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile." (Romans 1:16, NIV)

"...I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day." (2 Timothy 1:12, NIV)

"...if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name." (1 Peter 4:16, NIV)

Are you conducting yourself in a politically correct manner this Holiday Season?  Are you making sure you don't say too much about your Faith in the workplace?  Are you being appropriate?  I hope not.  Call me radical, but as I searched the scriptures this morning, I looked for references to being sensitive to what others believe and being careful not to offend someone for the cause of Christ.  Do you want to know what I came up with?  Zilch!  What I found were the references above that point us to ignore political correctness, get over our fear of offending our potentially bound-for-hell friends, neighbors and colleagues, and that direct us to NOT BE ASHAMED to take a stand and be recognized as "Christ"ians celebrating "Christ"mas! 

Labor Day is a "Holiday"!  Christmas is the celebration of the event that set in motion the liberation of the world from the tyranny of sin FOREVER through the Grace, Mercy and Forgiveness that abound at the foot of the Cross where Jesus willingly gave His Holy, Spotless Life for you and that friend, neighbor or colleague that will die and spend an eternity separated from their Creator if you and I simply lump this season in with all the other "recognized" holidays throughout the year.  This one is a BIG DEAL, folks!!

I know we have to practice wisdom and I'm not suggesting we schedule debates or go around picking fights at the office with Muslim or Jewish co-workers.  What I am saying is that we should spend less time focusing on what the world deems appropriate and spend more time focusing on the fact that Christ came, saw and conquered and it all started in a stable with a small bunch of messy-haired shepherds and some weary travelers from "the East" in attendance.  What started as a meager and humble birth has become the biggest thing ever!! 

So.....call me crazy...call me radical...call me insensitive....delete this website....stop reading these ridiculous devotions!!  But don't bury Christmas!!!  Celebrate the birth of Messiah!!  Celebrate your Faith openly and freely and, for goodness sake, wish someone a MERRY CHRISTMAS today!!

"The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the baby to be born will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God." (Luke 1:35, NLT)

You and I would be looking for the hidden cameras.  Punk'd!  I'm being Punk'd!  There's no way this is real!  A virgin?  Holy Spirit?  Son of God?  Mary must have thought Gabriel's TomTom needed to be reprogrammed because it had taken him way off course from where he must have been trying to travel!  The New Living Translation says that she was "confused and distrubed".  You think?  Can you imagine how she must have felt to hear everything she was being told?  A little overwhelming, to say the least.

But Mary responded with grace.  She simply said - "Let's do this thing."  She accepted her position, took a servant's stand, and, in the face of rejection and ridicule, allowed God's plan to fully develop around her and her Holy Child.  Mary is serious about serving - no limits, no regrets.

As we continue to move through this Christmas Season and approach a New Year, I pray that our hearts will become like Mary's.  May each of us be attentive to God's voice speaking over us and the plan He has for our lives.  May each of us be willing to serve - no limits, no regrets.  And may we allow the Holy Spirit to complete in us every good thing He wants to perform.  Will we face some rejection and ridicule?  Maybe.  Mary did.  But Jesus is way ahead of that!  He said, "If you find the godless world is hating you, remember it got its start hating me. If you lived on the world's terms, the world would love you as one of its own. But since I picked you to live on God's terms and no longer on the world's terms, the world is going to hate you." (John 15:18, MSG).

Listen, serve, finish.  Amen.

"I am writing these things to you now, even though I hope to be with you soon." (I Timothy 3:14, NLT)

Fairly consistently in my work life, if I have had employees reporting directly to me, I have made a habit of thanking or praising them with handwritten notes.  I have not only used these to reward a job well done for my reports, but I have also thanked different bosses using these same handwritten notes.  I have thanked them for their support or for something they had done on my behalf including fair reviews of my performance, awards, free trips, etc.  I know that at least one of my bosses kept one of these notes hanging on his wall for a couple of years.  He had given me support but he needed that recognition just as much as I did!

Paul wrote to the early Church in very personal and endearing ways.  There were no typewriters, no word processing programs, no printers!  Speech-to-text meant that Paul would say it and John Mark or Timothy would write it!!  What if Paul had been too busy to write?  What depth of wisdom and guidance from the Spirit would we have all missed?!?!?

This year, when you send out your Christmas cards, take time to write a personal note of thanks or recognition to individuals who have touched your life in someway through the past year.  Use this opportunity to recognize faithfulness, a charitable spirit or some unsung act of heroism or goodness that you know the person performed for someone - maybe they did it for you.  Regardless, take time to give that personal touch this Christmas.  The handwritten note is a dying courtesy.  We should never be too busy to offer our "glad tidings" penned with our own hands!  Share what God has done in your life this year!  Others will be encouraged by Your faithfulness and HIS faithfulness to you!

"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace." (Isaiah 9:6, KJV)

"Through the heartfelt mercies of our God,
  God's Sunrise will break in upon us,
 Shining on those in the darkness,
  those sitting in the shadow of death,
 Then showing us the way, one foot at a time,
  down the path of peace." (Luke 1:78, MSG)

My Advent Prayer for Peace:

Father, Your Promise came to us - abandoning Your Sanctuary of Peace that He might become Peace.  A war-torn world is forever changed in an instant as He inhales that first small breath of stable air.  His eyes open.  He smiles.  Mary and Joseph know Peace first.  The unspeakable joy!  The Promise of the Ages unveiled before them - face to face with The Prince of Peace.  They are changed.  We are changed.  No sickness or disease can steal Peace from our hearts and minds.  Broken hearts are mended with strong fibers of Peace.  Peace rules our hearts when troubles come - and they come.  Peace is there.

In the storm, there is a Rock.  In the winds, a Voice.  In the battle, a Banner.  In the depth of sorrow, a Comforter.  In the rejection, the hatred and the hostility - a Friend.   In the hopelessness, a Hope.  In the grave - a Light.

Jesus, You are Peace.  My All IN All.  Let the Peace within reflect Peace to the world around us.  They are hungry, they are afraid, they are sick and they are lost.  In the eyes of a Child - Peace has come.  That they may know You.  That they may know Peace!  That the world might sing, "When Peace like a river attendeth my way, when sorrows like sea billows roll.  Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say, "It is well, It is well with my soul!"

In the Name of Jesus, The Prince of Peace - Amen.

"And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and his rest shall be glorious." (Isaiah 11:10, KJV)

So Joseph went from the Galilean town of Nazareth up to Bethlehem in Judah, David's town, for the census. As a descendant of David, he had to go there." (Luke 2:3-4, MSG)

One of the traditions of the Advent Season is the creation of a Jesse Tree.  The Jesse Tree is a family tree that marks the heritage from which we have descended.  While we already reflect during the holidays back to times spent with those family members who have passed on, the traditional Jesse Tree causes us to pay special tribute to those people during this season.

Isaiah received the prophecy regarding the "Root of Jesse", the promised Messiah, 700 years before the account we read in Luke 2 regarding Joseph reporting to Bethlehem for the Roman Census.  In that 700 years, can you imagine the passions, the fears, the battles, the losses, the victories, the pain, the joy, the grief, the true love, the separation and the hope that Jesus' earthly ancestors experienced.  We can read about much of it, but there is so much more, I'm sure that is not recorded for us.  One thing we know = God's hand was upon the lineage of David.  They were a blessed tree!

Just as God's plan for Jesus' birth, life, death and resurrection was carefully set out from the foundation of the world, God's hand is on, in and around your destiny in Him.  For thousands of years, He has been shaping a heritage, a deep and rich history of struggles and triumphs, tears and laughter, grief and joy, need and prosperity.  All perfectly choreographed to ensure that you had the influences and the experiences that would make you the unique individual you are today in the Kingdom of God.  You might say, "What?  That crazy uncle was a part of God's plan for me??"  Yes.  That crazy uncle or other strange family member is a part of who and what you are today in Christ!  We are all a culmination of experiences and emotions.  These are the refining fires - our time on the wheel - that shape and mold our hearts, our minds and, ultimately, our souls.

As you spend time with family during this Christmas Season, take time to honor those saints in  your heritage that have gone on before us.  They will be family members, family friends and other people who have influenced your life in some positive way for the Kingdom of God.  And don't stop with those who have passed!  Take time to reach out to and thank those significant characters in your life that are still with you.  They have made a difference in your life and you owe them a debt of gratitude.  Make a point to celebrate your Jesse Tree this year and to thank God for taking such careful interest in you from the foundation of the world!!

"At once the angel was joined by a huge angelic choir singing God's praises:

 Glory to God in the heavenly heights,
 Peace to all men and women on earth who please him." (Luke 2:13-14, MSG)

Mr. Lee Durham.  A gentleman's gentleman.  Mr. Durham and his wife Ms. Laura, are some of the dearest people I know.  The Durhams were temporarily separated a few years ago when Mr. Durham got to go meet our Lord face to face!  Why shouldn't we think in the present-tense about believers who get that opportunity??  So...they still ARE some of the finest people I know.

Every year while I was growing up, Mr. Durham would stand in the pulpit of First Baptist Church in Mt. Vernon, KY where we attended periodically and he would belt out a beautiful rendition of "O Holy Night".  Mr. Durham sang that carol with a passion.  You could almost hear the angels singing with him!  I was always so moved by both the lyrics and the sincerity and excellence with which Mr. Durham presented this annual treat.  I will never forget it.

"O Holy Night" was written for a French Christmas Eve Mass in the early 19th century by a man named Placide Cappeau and the melody was written by Adolphe Adam.  Can you imagine being there on the first night this beautiful Christmas Carol was performed??  Man, I would have love to have heard that.  To get us close to the thought of being there, I attached a photo of the church where it was first presented just at the bottom of this devotional today.

Can you imagine that this powerful song could have been created by man alone?  Of course not!  The angels must have rejoiced to have had such willing vessels as Cappeau and Adam that would serve as conduits to have Heaven's music come to life on earth!  Close your eyes right now and begin to imagine the sounds of the strings and the tone of the boys' choir's voices as these words appear:

O holy night, the stars are brightly shining,
It is the night of the dear Savior’s birth;
Long lay the world in sin and error pining,
Till He appeared and the soul felt its worth.
A thrill of hope the weary world1 rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn;

Fall on your knees, Oh hear the angel voices!
O night divine, O night when Christ was born!
O night, O holy night, O night divine.

During this Season of Celebration, "fall on your knees" and "hear the angel voices"....O Night Divine!!!  O Night when Christ was born!!!!!!  O Night Divine!!  Thank you, Father!  Thank you, Placide and Adolphe!!  Thank you, Lee Durham!  Sing it with the angels for me!!

" Every desirable and beneficial gift comes out of heaven. The gifts are rivers of light cascading down from the Father of Light." (James 1:17, MSG)

I'll admit it.  We use Quicken to manage our personal finances and I have an expense category set up that helps me identify how much I spend each year on "Gifts".  We have a fairly large family and a few close friends that we buy gifts for - both on Christmas and for birthdays and other important occasions.  Then there are the less intimate gift purchases and exchanges for the kids' friends at school and people we work with, etc.  At the end of the day, you can spend a lot of money on those things and it is wise to track, report and plan those expenses.  It's just good stewardship, right?  Well.....maybe if that was the point.  I guess I track (and I bet a bunch of you do too!) because I either like to know how kind and benevolent I am (as if that can be measured in dollars) OR I want to make sure I don't spend too much!  We are told it is "better to give than to receive" but honestly, receiving is generally much cheaper!!

Now, don't get the wrong idea about me.  I enjoy giving gifts.  I'm a little tighter than I was when I was younger, but I still really enjoy giving.  But how much more does God enjoy giving to His children?  Much.  Christmas marks the time when God released Jesus to be the Savior of the world.  Once Jesus was born, the plan was in action.  There was no turning back.  Christmas marks the time of celebration for the greatest Gift ever given.  There was no hesitation.  The Father did not count the cost.  As a matter of fact, the whole reason the Gift was given was because God loved us so much that nothing would be spared to save us.

This Christmas spend less time counting the cost and more time focused on how much God loved us in sending His only Son to be our Redeemer, our Friend, our Savior.

"When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed..." (Luke 2: 17-18, NIV)

My mother had some interesting things to say about the shepherds.  With her permission, I'll share portions of an e-mail she sent to me a couple of days ago:

Just a thought about the shepherds………it was quite a spectacular site, but someone had to stay with the flock. That person:

1. Gave up the glorious for the faithfulness of shepherding.
2. Save the flock from any perils that night.
3. Accepted the story for those who did see - believed! 

With all the excitement of the angels' announcement, the longing and frustration of being left behind must have been heart-breaking for that one shepherd. But he remained dutiful and was able to hear of the fulfillment of the promise from eyewitnesses!  What a story they must have told!

I suppose it is possible that the one who stayed behind might have been too afraid or too skeptical to go.......although that's fairly unimaginable....seeing all those angels would make a believer out of just about anyone.  But there are so many in the world today that fal prey to those same fears and similar skepticism and doubt.  They never take the risk to move forward toward the Light of the World.  People are dazzled by the holiday light show - never absorbing or accepting the sacrifice.  How sad!  They miss so much.  If the shepherd stayed behind because of fear, he must have really wanted to kick himself when he heard the story!  "I can't believe I missed it!!"

Don't be gulity of missing the true meaning of this Season of Celebration.  Believe, rejoice and tell the world there is a Savior born in Bethlehem, the Messiah!!! 

"In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee...." (Luke 1:26, NIV)

I once conducted a children's Christmas program in which the main theme of the story was all about the angels getting ready for the "big show".  It was a cute depiction of how the angels might have prepared for the announcement of the coming of the Christ Child in Bethlehem.  It was witty and the kids had a great time.  I am now reminded of that play when I watch the movie "Elf".  During Santa's workshop scenes, the elves are busy with preparations and toy making - all focused on the "big day" and spreading Christmas "cheer".

In the first two chapters of Luke, angels are referenced more frequently than in all of the rest of the Bible combined.  God's attending staff made no small thing of Jesus' arrival.  They were very, very busy.  Gabriel announced John the Baptist's coming to Zechariah and Elizabeth.  He spoke to Mary, Joseph and the shepherds.  He even warned the Magi of the danger in spending too much time around Herod.  Can you imagine having to preface all of your conversations with "....now....don't be afraid of me"?  You and I would probably be arrested pretty quickly!  I don't think Gabriel's upfront disclaimer and warning was so much about his presence as it was about his message.  He was the bearer of some pretty disturbing, mostly exciting and often seemingly "too-good-to-be-true" news on more than one occasion.

You and I have a very similar responsibility.  The Gospel - the Good News - is a very clear mirror.  It exposes for all of us our failures and our sins.  We have to come to terms with those things in our lives and recognize the need for forgiveness before we can truly be forgiven.  That's a tough message to hear - so it's a tough message to deliver.  But just like Gabriel, you and I are on a mission.  We have a Message to share - a somewhat disturbing, exciting and seemingly too-good-to-be-true Message.  It's the heralding of the Love, the Grace and the Mercy available to us through Christ's birth, His life, His death, His victory over death and His imminent return.  The world is crying out, "Tell me the story of Jesus, write on my heart every word.  Tell me the story most precious, sweetest that ever was heard!"

So in the words of one of my favorite Christmas songs, "Go, tell it on the mountain, over the hills and everywhere!  Go, tell it on the mountain that Jesus Christ is born!!"

"Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him." (Matthew 2:2, KJV)

Each of our children have their own Christmas tree in their respective bedrooms.  The trees are as different as their personalities!  Our 2 year-old daughter's tree is pink with pink lights, purple ornaments and a pink Teddy Bear atop.  Our 9 year-old son has a white tree with multi-colored lights and a silver star perched on top.  And our 14 year-old has the quintessential Charlie Brown tree - tiny and green with only a few lights and ornaments adorning.  It's a cynical little tree.  Very teenagerish......:)

The decoration of the Christmas tree, seemingly earlier every year at our house, is a big event.  There is always a fire, often hot chocolate, popcorn, Christmas music, Rhonda handing out decorations, and the lights - always the lights.  Sometime later, we will hang a lighted wreath, lights and fresh pine garland on the front porch.  (These come later because they require what I call "seasoning".  Seasoning is the time between when I purchase the garland and lights for the porch and the time several days later when I actually take them out of the back of my truck to apply them to the house.  Some of you men know what I'm talking about, but you didn't know what it was called before!  Now you have a defensible position for this delay.  :)  Later. I'll give you the argument for why we leave those lights on the house until Easter - it's touching....)  When it's all complete, we will get in the vehicle and drive past the house a few times - just to get the full experience.  Then we'll drive around and look at other people's decorated yards and homes in our area.  We are the Griswolds.  It's all about the lights. 

For the Magi, whose story of discovery and perilous journey is recorded in the Book of Matthew, it was all about "the light".  To them, it had been foretold that the greatest of all Kings' arrival on earth would be marked by a stellar phenom - a Star in the east, marking the place of the Child's birth.  Just like you and I are drawn to the lights during this Season of Celebration, the three wise men were drawn to the Light that marked the Savior's birth.  They were faithful and obedient.  They were willing to risk their lives to observe the miracle and to protect the Child from the paranoid wrath of Herod.  They were the Biblical version of Indiana Jones!!  They saw the Light. 

The shepherds were alarmed first by the light.  The light surrounding the Angels who announced and sang of the miracle in Bethlehem was what they noticed first.  "And they came and saw."

Jesus said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." (John 8:12, KJV)  It is all about the Light.  This Christmas, it is my sincerest prayer that you and your family will truly focus on not only recognizing the source of Light in your home and your lives, but that you and I can also pay special attention to our responsibility to spread that Light to those around us.  Sure, decorate your trees, your home, heck - decorate your vehicles and your hair!  But stay close to the idea of decorating your life.  Clothing your heart, mind and soul with the eternal Light of Christ's presence and Lordship over your every thought, word and action.  People will be drawn to that Light in you.  Be prepared for them to say, "we saw His light in you and we have come to worship Him."

"She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn." (Luke 2:7, MSG)

We've been renovating.  New flooring, repainting, new bathroom vanities, crown moulding.  If you look in my garage right now, you won't have to guess what's been going on here!  There's left over hardwood, felt, trim and cans of paint - bunches of cans of paint.

Over the course of the last few weeks I have also had the privilege of a couple of trips to the dump.  You see in order to get ready for the installation of the new stuff, we had to get rid of all of the old carpet (I can't believe how long we looked at that awful, nasty and worn carpet!!), the padding underneath, old sink tops and more.  That stuff has to go or there's no room to make the improvements we want to make.

This 3rd Day of the Advent Season offers us the opportunity to focus on "preparing Him room".  Lordship is a wonderful thing.  In essence, when we ask Jesus to be the new "boss of us", we are renovating our hearts.  We are getting rid of the old junk and installing new bright and shiny stuff that only He can supply.  What would our house look like if we tried to add the new on top of the old?  That hardwood wouldn't look so good over the top of that carpet.  Can you imagine a vanity on top of a vanity (is this what the Proverbial author was talking about?? :))?  The plumbing was challenging enough with the old one gone!!  And we've tried just painting over those bad spots on the walls before - they just become bad spots that are a different color.  Nope - you have to prepare the walls.  You have to scrape away the flaws and the marred finish and make them smooth.  You spackle, you apply the primer and then - only then - are you ready to make things new.

In the movie "The Passion", as He carries the Cross down the Via Dolorosa, Jesus looks at His Mother, Mary, and says, "Behold, I make all things new."

Today, on this 3rd day of the Advent Season, PREPARE HIM ROOM.  Let the Holy Spirit help you sift through some of the junk and clear out plenty of room in your heart and mind for Christ to make things new!  You've been looking at that stuff for years - it's time to let it go and let the Spirit begin a new work in you.  Renovate.  Make room.  Enjoy!

"So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger." (Luke 2:16, NIV)

Do you think there was the slightest chance that the shepherds would have just continued going about the business of tending sheep that night?  No?  Me neither!  Can you imagine this scenario?  You're a young man named Benjamin and you just turned 13.  You've been sent to tend your family's herd with a couple of older brothers and two servants of your father's.  You've drawn the night watch, but you are so tired you can barely keep your eyes open.  Your brothers are resting peacefully and one of your father's servants is snoring incessantly.  You want to go to sleep, but there's the matter of the herd and the ground is too hard anyway.

Suddenly, a blinding light appears out of nowhere.  You shield your face, trying not to look at it, but you are so drawn to it - your eyes adjust.  Just as your eyes adjust and the others are stirring asking you what is going on, a ladder drops out of the light!  Creatures...wait...birds....no - angels?  They appear as spirits of light - like ghosts but so much more real.  And they're singing!  What is that they're saying?  The largest angel speaks - "Tonight, in Bethlehem, a Savior is born.  You will find him wrapped in swaddling cloth and lying in a feeding trough", (Bryant Paraphrase Edition).  Young Ben has to be thinking - "What?  Where?  I was with you up until the feeding trough thing.  Who would do that to a baby?"  Now he can hear what they're singing...."Glory to God in the Highest and on Earth Peace, Good Will toward men!"  As quickly as it began, the sky returns to emptiness and stars.

Ben and the rest of the crew gather their wits about them and start to talk through what just happened.  Can you imagine the conversation?  Whatever the process, the result was that they ended up going to Bethlehem and finding the Baby Jesus just as the angel had promised.  Ben is delighted!  He's the baby of his family, so he has never spent much time around babies.  He can't believe what the angels told him is true!  But here it is - just like they said.

Fast forward 2010 years.  Stop.  Just like the nativity story, you and I have been encouraged to "come and see".  Our journey of Faith is very much like the shepherds.  The angels announced the birth of the Messiah to them, but their Faith was not sight immediately.  They had to go.  They had to move from where they were in order to experience the fullness of the Promise.  As we commit ourselves to "go" - to "come and see" - the promises of His Word and His annointing upon our lives will become clearer.  Our Faith will become sight.  Just like it did for the shepherds, the wisemen, the stable owner and the cows. 

I pray that we will allow the God-presence experiences that occur in our lives to cause us to move.  I pray that He will reveal to you the great and wonderful things He has in store for your life and that you will respond with obedience and in Faith to his urging.  During this Advent Season, speak to that person you haven't spoken to in years.  Ask for forgiveness from someone you have wronged or hurt in even some small way.  Do the thing that the Spirit has been pleading with you about.  Reach out to the underprivileged.  Feed someone who is hungry.  Lend your ear to someone who just needs to talk.  Be a friend to the friendless.  Make this Christmas count.  May you and those you touch never be the same.  In Jesus' Name.  Amen.

"The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel"—which means, "God with us." (Matthew 1:23, NIV)

"O come, O come, Emmanuel...", is the opening phrase of that beautiful Christmas song.  As the Advent Season begins today, we recognize that we are celebrating the long awaited arrival of the Messiah, the Deliverer, the One.  As Christians, we not only recognize His first arrival more than 2000 years ago, but we are also anxiously awaiting His Second Coming.  This first day of the Advent Season is two-fold for the believer!

The words "Come Thou Long Expected Jesus" ring clearly from my childhood growing up in Southern Baptist churches with those great and wonderful (meant in its truest sense "full of wonder") hymns.  The older I get, the more precious many of those songs become.  My mother tells a story of my maternal grandfather's last hours here on earth.  She says that he spent those last few hours with her singing the hymns of Faith.  In particular, she remembered him singing these words:  "Blessed be the Name, Blessed be the Name, Blessed be the Name of the Lord."  Just a short while later, my grandfather who had spent his life serving God as a Pastor and Home Missionary church-starter, got to sing those words as he fell at the feet of our Savior in Paradise.

Today, as we begin the "official" celebration of the season of Christ's birth, I encourage you to pray these words:  "Lord Jesus, we celebrate Your miraculous birth and arrival.  We recognize that You are Emmanuel.  You are God With Us.  We believe in Your birth, Your Holy Life, Your death, Your burial and Your Ressurection.  These events are the foundation of all that we are and all that we know.  It is upon this foundation that we also build our trust in Your return.  Your Bride, the Church, stands at the ready to receive the Bridegroom!  Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus!!  O Come, O Come, Emmanuel!!  Amen! 

Matthew 18:3,4 (NIV)

And he said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

Yesterday, we decorated our Christmas tree, and it was beautiful;  more beautiful, however, was the reaction of our two year-old daughter!  She truly saw the wonder of Christmas, and it was written all over her face.  Her eyes seemed to light up with the tree.   

What if we all saw the wonder of Christmas like children?  What if we didn't fall prey to the commercialization of Christmas, but we instead focused on its true meaning?  Lost people refer to the "Christmas Spirit" as a benign but pervasive feeling that causes people to, for a short time, become charitable and benevolent.  As Christians, we know that that "Spirit" can last well past the Christmas season. 

If we truly have Jesus in our hearts, it shouldn't be difficult to find the source of that good, warm feeling we get during this time of year.  You see, the "Christmas Spirit," although marketed by retailers, doesn't find its source in any store.  Christ's birth created the intangible, magical experience that cannot be replicated by any other event.  While many people experience what has been come to be recognized as the "Christmas Spirit," during the month of December, if you have a personal relationship with its source, the living Christ, you don't just experience that inexplicable feeling one time a year; you have access to it every single day of the year!  

So, let me challenge you to experience Christmas and every day of your personal walk with Christ just like our daughter experienced seeing the decorated tree for the first time yesterday!  Christmas is magical but not because of good sales and fruitcake and certainly not because of some benign benevolence created by commercial hype!  The true Source is much more enduring.  It is sparked by a living God who sent his only Son to die in our stead so we can have eternal life!  Can you imagine any greater reason for our eyes to light up? 

"This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life." (John 3:16, MSG)

I have two favorite traditional Christmas songs.  I love "In The Bleak Midwinter" and "Little Drummer Boy".  Both of these songs tell stories of giving something back to Jesus in return for the wonderful Gift He was and still is.  "Little Drummer Boy" says:

"I played my drum for Him, pa rum pum pum pum 
I played my best for Him, pa rum pum pum pum, 
rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum, 

Then He smiled at me, pa rum pum pum pum 
Me and my drum." (Katherine K. Davis, Henry Onorati and Harry Simeone)

And "In The Bleak Midwinter" asks:

"What can I give him, poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb;
if I were a Wise Man, I would do my part;
yet what I can I give him:  give my heart." (Christina Rosetti)

During this Season of Giving, I encourage all of us to focus on what we can offer Him.  He gave His all for us and we should respond with nothing less than ours.  What can we give Him?  Our talents, our families, our thoughts, our actions, our words and our hearts.  We can lift our voices to Him, we can dance before Him and we can pass on to others the message of His Amazing Love for us and His Grace offered to all.  Want a real "Black Friday" bargain?  All of the above are FREE!!!  There's no expiration date on this offer and you don't have to fight for a parking space or stand in long lines.  Just receive it and then re-gift it!!  It's OK!! 

May God richly bless all of you during this awesome Season of Celebration!  May His Peace rest upon you.  He is Emmanuel - God With Us!

Perhaps I am the first to wish you a Very Merry Christmas!!!

Today's devotion is an intentional reflection.  It is strange for me to write at the end of the day but I did feel that direction today - and now I know why.....

The turkey and dressing and other mounds of food had been demolished and everyone was trying desperately to muster up enough appetite to take a few small bites of the loads of good stuff on the dessert table.  Pumpkin pie, carrot cake (nice one, Sue), chocolate chip cookies (fan favorite), pumpkin whoopies (don't ask, just eat 'em - they're delicious, Lissa!!) and the list goes on and on......

Football is on, the older kids are outside playing some hoops, and the younger kids are busy at the craft table that Aunt Melissa so thoughtfully prepared.  The request for piano music is made and MoMo makes her way to the loft and the keys.....the old hymns come to life.  I'm at the kitchen counter and chime in on the choruses of some of the familiar tunes.  Jon and I start singing a little harmony on "It Is Well..." and I finally make my way upstairs and kneel beside my mother who begins to play "How Firm A Foundation".  From turkey, to carrot cake to worship!  How else should it be?  It's Thanksgiving!

Read these marvelous words written by John Keith in 1787:

"How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord,
Is laid for your faith in His excellent word!
What more can He say than to you He hath said—
To you who for refuge to Jesus have fled?

“Fear not, I am with thee, oh, be not dismayed,
For I am thy God, and will still give thee aid;
I’ll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand,
Upheld by My gracious, omnipotent hand.

“When through the deep waters I call thee to go,
The rivers of sorrow shall not overflow;
For I will be with thee thy trouble to bless,
And sanctify to thee thy deepest distress.

“When through fiery trials thy pathway shall lie,
My grace, all-sufficient, shall be thy supply;
The flame shall not harm thee; I only design
Thy dross to consume and thy gold to refine.

“The soul that on Jesus doth lean for repose,
I will not, I will not, desert to his foes;
That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake,
I’ll never, no never, no never forsake.”

I made it through the first two verses, but when I read the upcoming lyrics of the third verse, I began to weep and to truly give thanks.  He has overcome so much on behalf of my family!  We have seen cancer defeated more than once, the certain dead live and the fiery darts of the enemy deflected time and time again!  We have been used and, although so undeserving, He continues to use us daily!  How firm a Foundation!!  His Grace, all-sufficient shall be thy supply!!!  Thank You, Father!  Thank You, Jesus!  Thank You!  Thank You!  Thank You!!!

" I couldn't stop thanking God for you—every time I prayed, I'd think of you and give thanks." (Ephesians 1:15, MSG)

Today, a Simple Simon assignment.  A mission - should you decide to accept it.  The assignment is two-fold:

First, spend sometime as soon as you are done reading this thanking God for your amazing life!  Think your life isn't so amazing?  Think again - the very fact that you have a life is amazing!!  You are no accident and God has a unique and wonderful purpose for your life.  You've been handed a special set of skills and talents that make you invaluable to the advancement of the Kingdom of God here on earth.  We are a part of an extraterrestrial Kingdom!!  Heirs to the keys to Eternal Life!  The Word tells us to "in everything, give thanks."  IN everything.  That means we should thank Him even during the most challenging situations and hardest times in our earthly lives.  We thank Him because He has always brought us through these challenges and He always will!!  Mission #1 - GIVE HIM THANKS!!!

Next, publicly thank someone for a kindness, generosity or good deed performed on your behalf or on the behalf of someone you know.  If you send an e-mail to thank someone, don't spend a lot of time filtering out your contact list to hone it down to the appropriate audience!  Recognize and thank the individual PUBLICLY for their effort!  This will empower that person, embolden them to continue to be a blessing to others and encourage others to follow suit!  You will start a compassion fire that will hopefully burn completely out of control through this holiday season!!  Mission #2 - THANK SOMEONE PUBLICLY!!!

You say, "Michael, it's not Thanksgiving Day today."  I know that!  Let's get this party started early!!  Give thanks now!!

"When Daniel learned that the decree had been signed and posted, he continued to pray just as he had always done. His house had windows in the upstairs that opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he knelt there in prayer, thanking and praising his God." (Daniel 6:10, MSG)

It really begins today.  The holiday season officially arrives for us at our house when school is out for Thanksgiving!  We'll celebrate tonight with Rhonda's family then spend tomorrow preparing for Turkey Day and maybe a little time spent at a family cabin down on the Cumberland River.  Before the cabin trip, the tree must go up at home - must.  We need a new tree this year - maybe we "go live"?  Always a dilemma.

It is such a great time of year for spending time with family and friends.  We keep some Steven Curtis Chapman, Elvis or James Taylor Christmas music (wierd mix - I know) playing in the background, build roaring fires, hope for snow, and talk of seasons past and future - the whole deal.  The tragedy is that so many folks stop there - missing the most important part.

While the Thanksgiving Holiday offers unbelievable home cooking and time with family and "all the trimmings", believers should be very focused on giving thanks to God for all that He has done in our lives.  For starters, we need to thank Him privately, publicly and collectively for the wonders He alone has made possible in our lives.  He made YOU.  He wants to spend time with YOU.  And the holiday season offers a great opportunity for us to refocus our thanksgiving and praise energies in the direction that matters most - up. 

Daniel worshipped privately and that's where it starts for us, too.  What's that quote?  "You are who you are alone."  What we do in private defines the fiber of our inner man - our spirit.  Anyone can pull off a good act in front of others without even the slightest hint of appropriate motivation.  We live in a world so full of concerns about what others think of us.  The news reports regarding serial killers are full of stories from neighbors and friends who are utterly shocked that the person could be capable of such horrifc acts.  "He seemed so nice and quiet.  Always very friendly and helpful."  What we are when we are alone - when only God is watching - that's what we are. 

Is your private life a life filled with worship and communion with our Creator, or is it fraudulent?  Are you a different person on the inside than the one people see or is your private life one of obedience and thanksgiving?  Make the commitment today to lead a Holy private life.  Make this Thanksgiving week all about getting real before God.  Confess your weaknesses to Him and seek His strength in their stead. 

Offer your life - all of it, including your private life - as an offering of Thanksgiving to the One Who made you!  He wants to celebrate Thanksgiving with you!! 

"'If you can'?" said Jesus. "Everything is possible for him who believes." (Mark 9:23, NIV)

The man with the son made deaf and blind by a level of demon possession didn't get it and neither do we!  When the man whose son had been afflicted by this possession since childhood said to Jesus, "But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us" (vs.22), he absolutely had no idea Who he was talking to.  And Jesus seized the opportunity to teach all of us a lesson.

The Message recrods His response like this: "Jesus said, 'If? There are no 'ifs' among believers. Anything can happen."  Jesus didn't say most things and he didn't say some things.  He said ANYTHING!!  Still, just like the father of the young man in Mark 9, we find ourselves daydreaming about the "if's" in our life and walk.

When the diagnosis is bad, we wonder IF we will survive it.  When we are hurt by those we love, we question IF we can ever love or be loved by anyone again.  When marriages fail, we wonder IF the realtionship can be restored.  When a loved one passes, we ask IF we can go on without them.  When that job isn't what He has for us anymore, we wonder IF and how He will continue to provide for our family.  When life is challenging and we are standing before the giant in the valley, we wonder IF we can be victorious.  Jesus said "THERE ARE NO IF's!!!"  

When we  can begin to understand that IF doesn't exist - when IF is no longer a part of our vocabulary - we can turn the world upside down!!!  ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE!!!  There's no job too big, no task too large, no undertaking too overwhelming for our LORD!!  He defeated death and the grave!!  When we are down, He is up.  When we are discouraged, He is Lord.  When we are afraid, He rides a white horse and His eyes are like fire!  When we are diseased, His hands, His feet and His stripes hold the ultimate prescription - the universal antidote for all affliction!  When we are weak, He is strong!  When we are overcome, He is the Overcomer!!  When we are unable, HE IS ABLE!!!  ALL THINGS!  ALL THINGS!!  ALL THINGS!!!!

 ^6-8Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger in the dirt. They kept at him, badgering him. He straightened up and said, "The sinless one among you, go first: Throw the stone." Bending down again, he wrote some more in the dirt.

 ^9-10Hearing that, they walked away, one after another, beginning with the oldest. The woman was left alone. Jesus stood up and spoke to her. "Woman, where are they? Does no one condemn you?"

 ¹¹"No one, Master."

 "Neither do I," said Jesus. "Go on your way. From now on, don't sin."  (MSG)

Why is it that we're always ready to judge others, but we have a hard time recognizing our own sin?  Doesn't it sometimes depend on what society deems acceptable?  In other words, we are quick to point fingers at murderers or burglars or adulterers, but aren't all sins abominable in the eyes of God?  And aren't we all guilty at one time or another?  So, the next time we find ourselves with stone in hand, perhaps we should instead pray to our merciful God that He has forgiven our sins, and then pray for the sinner that he or she, too will see the errors of his/her ways and repent.  After all, Christ didn't condemn the sinful woman.  Who are we to? 

"A pretentious, showy life is an empty life; a plain and simple life is a full life." (Prov. 13:7, MSG)

I think Henry David Thoreau had it right as far as simplification.  In his experiment, which he published and titled, Walden, he spent about two years, simply simplifying!  He lived off the land and spent time contemplating, instead of running the rat race. 

One of the devil's greatest tools against the Kingdom is complexity.  Most of us are so busy that we don't have time to truly develop the fullest potential of our relationship with God.  So many of us find ourselves too exhausted after a day filled with deadlines and obligations to focus on the single most important aspect of our lives:  our relationship with our Creator, our Friend, our Deliverer.  What a tragedy! 

The devil has to be delighted, because he doesn't really even have to work at distracting us--we do all the work ourselves.  He can just sit back and revel in the perpetuation of our superficial relationships with God. 

Want to really frustrate the devil and find unfathomable satisfaction in a fully developed relationship with God???  Simplify and find time to contemplate higher things!

"He continued according to plan, traveled to town after town, village after village, preaching God's kingdom, spreading the Message." (Luke 8:1, MSG)

The weather isn't any different.  The routine's the same.  You didn't eat anything spicy and you didn't have an argument with your spouse or get upset with one of your children.  All you know is something just isn't right.  Feeling unfulfilled and restless, you move past it.  You have to go to work.  You have things to do and you can't let this ridiculous unrest interrupt all that.  Focus.  Do what has to be done.  Get through this - it will pass.  You're not lazy - you just wish there was more to life today.  Do other people feel this way?  Are you strange?  Are you losing your mind?

I'm willing to bet there's not a single person reading this today that hasn't had some level of the experience above.  How do you think I was able to so aptly describe it?  Yep - me too.  During those times I'm not unhappy.  I simply know there's more to my groove - my purpose - than I am allowing to develop in my life and ministry.  And it's a darn frustrating thing, isn't it?

So how do we avoid feeling that way again?  Just forget it?  Will it pass?  Well, it will fade a bit for awhile,, but you can bet it will return....unless.....we capture the essence of Christ's mission, purpose and focus in His life here on earth and apply that same modus operandi to our own lives.

The scripture above says "He continued according to plan....."  Jesus wasn't shooting in the dark.  He had a plan.  A Master plan.  He was perfectly atuned to the will of the Father in His life and He carried out His mission without a single misstep.  How did He stay so in tune with the Father?  Relationship.  Jesus gave us the secret formula.  He said, "I came directly from the Father." (Jn.8:27) and "...I'm not abandoned. The Father is with me. I've told you all this so that trusting me, you will be unshakable and assured, deeply at peace." (Jn. 8:32).  Jesus also said that apart from the vine we cannot bear fruit.  The same held true for Him.  He bore much fruit because of His deep love relationship with the Father.  That love wrought obedience; that obedience gave birth to miracles and the rest is history, now, eternity.  He is Lord - and He's still on task!  He's still working the plan!!

If we will truly "abide" in the Father, the Word promises us that He will abide in us.  You say, "Michael, what does that 'KJV speak' mean?  What's up with abide?"  The dictionary defines "abide" fairly simply - "to continue or to remain" (Google glossary).  "Abiding" is a state of being - a condition.  Abiding should be a chronic condition for the servant of Jesus.  He has a Spirit-born, Spirit-filled plan for your life.  He will truly guide our every step if we stay close to Him. 

Has a restlessness stirred in you recently?  Are you searching for more purpose?  Want to get back on track and "continue according to plan?"  Pray. Read. Seek. Listen. Move.  Become the words below:

If I move in You. Lord, You will move in me.

If I'll walk, You'll run and Your Grace will carry me.

If I close my eyes, You will cause my heart to see

That if I dream in You, dreams become reality.

If I move in You, If I move in You, If I move in You,

You will move in me. (MB)

Amen.

"So be careful that you don't become misers of what you hear." (Luke 8:17, MSG)

It was our traditional Tuesday night drive to Fazoli's.  I was trying desperately to convince myself that 6 breadsticks are too many.  Two are(is?) enough - two.  Rhonda was calcualting the cost of the meal...let's see....it was $24.18 last week, but I have this coupon, so it will be somewhere around $22.00 this week,  Yea!!  Trey was soaking up the last of the iPod tunes before dinner - no iPods allowed at the table.  William was watching everything out the window - scoping out some cool cars and/or reading every sign we pass.  And Reid Elizabeth was mesmerized by the "Wiggles Christmas" video plaing on the entertainment system.

Apparently, there was very little to look at outside.  William, now equally mesmerized by the Wiggles' version of "Away In A Manger" asks, "I thought you weren't aloud to talk about Jesus in these kinds of videos?" 

I stopped thinking about breadsticks.

Now understand that William is my most spiritually curious offspring.  He is forever interested in the contents of the Bible, always the one who wants to watch "The Passion" or any other Christian video or program and always inquisitive about Bible times and stories.  His exposure to the Faith is high - very high.  Yet there is for him, and I must assume for many others in his generation, a gap in understanding.  We are no longer raising a politically correct generation.  We are at risk of raising a "spiritually incorrect" generation.  Our ever-closer-to-Godless society is breeding a thought process that assumes it is inappropriate to talk about Jesus in virtually any setting beyond "church".  We need to focus and recover quickly.

This is the generation that will be tasked with evangelizing the 29% of the world's population that have never heard the name of Jesus.

This is the generation that will have to reverse the practice of churches of today whose total gross expenditure on financial audits is more than the amount of money spent globally on missions and reaching the unreached.

This is the generation that will be more heavily impacted by terrorism, pandemic disease and Godlessness than any generation before it.

We must answer the call to awakening of this generation of young and energetic youths whose mission it will be to reach the world for Christ.  We cannot wait - it must happen now.

Stop the madness today.  Pray that god will call our children into Kingdom service and that He will shower upon them the supernatural protection and the unprecedented favor they will need to get the job done.  Father, call us all to action and to "Spiritual Correctness", in Jesus' Name!  Amen!

"Your word is the truth. So let this truth make them completely yours." (John 17:17, CEV)

sanc·ti·fy

1 : to set apart to a sacred purpose or to religious use : consecrate
2 : to free from sin : purify
3 a : to impart or impute sacredness, inviolability, or respect to b : to give moral or social sanction to
4 : to make productive of holiness or piety <observe the day of the sabbath, to sanctify it — Deuteronomy 5:12(Douay Version)>

Okay, there's the world's definition.  There's some good stuff in there.  The traditional "set apart" is in there, too.  Heck, there's even a scriptural reference in there!!  Even the word sanctify is sanctified - that's pretty cool!

In the opening scripture, the CEV gives us some unique insight into what Jesus was praying as He interceded for His disciples - and ultimately you and me - just before his arrest and crucifixion.  He prays, "Your word is the truth. So let this truth make them completely yours."  As Jesus is praying He is giving us very clear direction.  If we are to be truly God's own, wholly devoted to Him, we must be deeply rooted in the Word - God's Truth for our lives.  The Word, in essence, seals the deal! 

The Psalmist wrote, "As the deer panteth for the water, so my soul longeth after thee." (Ps. 42).  The Message says it like this - "A white-tailed deer drinks from the creek; I want to drink God, deep draughts of God. I'm thirsty for God-alive."  As God's children, we should pant after His Word.  We should be desperate to soak up more and more of His Truth!  Jesus recognized that Scripture would be the most valuable resource available to all of us as Truth-seekers here on Earth. 

I pray that God's children will embrace His Word daily.  Drink their fill - to overflowing.  God, give us a thirst and quench it!  Teach us to understand that we only become fully Yours when the Word becomes a part of who and what we are.  As we abide in You, You will abide in us.  Amen.

"God cares for you, so turn all your worries over to him." (I Peter 5:7, CEV) 

I woke up this morning with a song on my mind.  I know you do that too.  The song?  An old Gospel tune by J.B. Coates - "Where Woud I Go But To the Lord?"

It's old.  It's simple.  And at first listen it seems shallow and maybe a little corny.  But when the Lord sings it over you in the night - I have to tell you that "peace like a river" flows.  Here are the lyrics:

Living below in this old sinful world
Hardly a comfort can afford
Striving alone to face temptations sore
Where could I go but to the Lord

Where could I go oh where could I go
Seeking a refuge for my soul
Needing a friend to save me in the end
Where could I go but to the Lord

Neighbors are kind, I love them everyone.
We get along in sweet accord.
But when my soul needs manna from above,
Where could I go but to the lord

Where could I go oh where could I go
Seeking a refuge for my soul
Needing a friend to save me in the end
Where could I go but to the Lord

Life here is grand with friends I love so dear
Comfort I get from God's own Word
Yet when I face the chilling hand of death
Where could I go but to the Lord

Where could I go oh where could I go
Seeking a refuge for my soul
Needing a friend to save me in the end
Where could I go but to the Lord

There's nothing shallow or simple about those words.  They are rich with a theme that the world needs to hear today.  The message is this - we walk through stuff - that is fact.  There are relationships, situations, disappointments, generational curses, disease, war, and turmoil runs amuck in the human heart.  But.....no therapy, no medication can take the place of my Jesus.  Where will I go when I need a friend.....where would I go but to the Lord?  If the church could truly take hold of this blessing, the world would never be the same.

Stop running here and there looking for some flash-in-the-pan miracle substitute!  If you are in need, seek God, accept the offering of His Son and allow the Power of His Holy Spirit to fill you, change you and make you new.  "And the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the Light of His Glory and Grace!"  Amen!

"God's Word is an indispensable weapon." (Ephesians 6:16, MSG)

Growing up in the Baptist church, some of my fondest memories are of "Bible School".  I can remember Bible School being the highlight of my summer.  I loved all of it.  From the processional leading us up the front steps of the church building to the cookies and soda or Kool-Aid during the breaks to the crafts we created and the evangelistic call during the recessional - I loved all of it!

One of the big deals in Bible School was to get to be a flag or Bible bearer during the processional.  I was always so excited when I got to be a part of that contingent.  Walk slowly, slowly....now cross...place the pole in the holder and stand at the ready.  The time would come for the pledges.  First the American Flag, then the Christian Flag and, last but not least, the pledge to The Bible.  It goes like this:  "I pledge allegiance to the Bible, God's Holy Word.  I will make it a lamp unto my feet, a light unto my path and I will hide it's words in my heart, that I might not sin against God."  Those pledges meant something to me.  I'd bet that some of you reading this remember those days and those times just like I do.

What percentage of kids under 18 years old today could recite that pledge?  I'm willing to bet the number is miniscule.  There are too many other things to remember, right?  Their friends' cell phone numbers, the busy extracirricular schedule with sports and marching band and homework and yada, yada, yada, yada.....!  So when Satan forms his weapons against them, what will they do?  Recite a verse from "The Raven"?  Shoot a "3"?  Play a perfect cadence?  I'm not saying that these things are bad or wrong - not at all!  They are very positive alternatives for kids to be involved with, but call me "old school" - we are raising a weaponless generation and that means a losing battle is to be fought just ahead!!!

We have made God's Word a dispensable weapon!!!  And God forgive us!

Parents, let's commit today to providing the "full armor" of God for our children.  Let's commit to repairing the "chinks" and the holes.  If we are to expect them to be able to "withstand all the fiery darts" that are already being hurled at them, we must act quickly and prepare them well.  Start with a simple memory verse every week.  Schedule some time for them to sit down, uninterrupted and away from their cell phone to focus on God and His Perfect Instruction Manual.  They are looking for answers - and they will find them somewhere.  If we will heed God's warning that His Word is a "indispensable weapon" they will find the right and good path!  I claim it in Jesus' Name! 

"But Lot's wife looked back and turned into a pillar of salt." (Genesis 9:26, MSG)

Most of us know this story in Genesis.  God visits Abraham accompanied by two Angels.  The promise of a son is announced to Abraham and Sarah and then God asks Himself a question - "Should I hold back from Abraham what I am about to do?"  God decides to let Abraham in on the plan to destroy Sodom and Gommorah because of their extreme wickedness.  Multiple times, Abraham begs for mercy for the two cities, trying to whittle down the number of good people there that, if found, would cause God to spare the cities and their inhabitants.  God finally agrees that 10 good people found would prevent the cities' destruction.

The two Angels spend the night in Sodom with Lot, Abraham's nephew and quickly realize they are not going to find the required number of righteous people.  They all but pick Lot up (along with his wife and two daughters) and carry him out of the city.  As the refugees flee to a nearby village, Lot's wife looks back at the scene of destruction and is immediately turned into a pillar of salt.  End of story.

Why a pillar of salt?  God could have changed Lot's wife into anything, right?  Why not a statue, or a stone, or a frog or something?  What is significant about the pillar of salt?  Here's what God revealed to me about that.

First of all, I get a little annoyed at the characterization of Lot's wife as a worldy, sinful and materialistic woman.  Seriously, those 3 words describe, oh, only about 99.9% of today's living population.  We are not a society in any position to judge Lot's wife.  Consider the scenario, fire and brimstone are raining down from the sky and the family you borrowed a cup of sugar from yesterday is now being melted into a heap of boiling, burning flesh.  How many of us would not be tempted to glance over our shoulder at that scene?  Now, please understand - I know they were told not to look back and I understand her death was the result of disobedience.  I just don't like the wild speculation regarding her character.  In reality, all signs point to the fact that she must have been a good person.  Lot married her, she had evidently trained up her virgin daughters to love honor and obedience, and the true evidence of her righteousness is rather obvious in that the angels rescued her.  Still, I get it.  Fact is, they told her not to look back and she did.  Boom. Pillar of salt.

My interpretation?  We all look back.  We are all, at different times in our lives, haunted by our past.  Even when the flesh is dying and being replaced by Spirit, we struggle with this connection to our past.  We are remorseful for those things that we have done that are in contrast to God's will for our lives and we often reflect on those things.  Guilt doesn't have a hold on us, we hold on to guilt.  And when we do this, we are rendered immobile and useless.  Nothing good can come from us.  Nothing new can be birthed in or around us.  We become as useless as a.....there it is......as useless as a pillar of salt.  God's message to us in the account of Lot's wife's death is clear:  Letting go of the past is the key to receiving a worthwhile future.  Sure, that person hurt you - that doesn't mean you should avoid all future relationship.  Yes - you did a terrible thing - so just withdraw form everything and everybody? NO!  Trust God!  Trust that His Mercy and Grace are flowing freely to you.  What could be worse than your sin?  Allowing that sin to perpetuate a life devoid of service, empty of worship and of zero Kingdom impact.  And the real tragedy?  Your sin has been destroyed, forgotten, wiped from your record.  You are looking back on something that no longer exists - a city you can no longer see.

Okay - I commit to not be your excuse for missing church today.  Get up, get out there and get going.  Let go of your past and take hold of your future in Him!! 

"I've heard all about you.....God reward you well for what you've done...." (Ruth 2:11-12, MSG)

I've done some wrong things in my life.  I know you're shocked.  Actually, I know you are anything but shocked - especially if you've known me for any length of time at all.  I've made bunches of small mistakes and a few really big messes.  Fortunately, the older we get and the more we allow God to shape our thoughts, our words and our actions, we improve upon our past mistakes (if we have any sense at all) and put those mistakes behind The Blood and behind us.

Regardless of the mistakes you have made, one thing is certain.  People have "heard all about you."  Just like Ruth, our reputation - be it good or bad - precedes us.  The real problem here is that our reputation is never based upon the present or the future.  As a young politician, Abraham Lincoln's reputation wasn't based upon his enshrinement as one of our greatest Presidents that ever lived.  He wasn't perceived as the high defender of the Union or the hope of emancipation for an enslaved people.  He lost several elections because his reputation was that of a wet behind the ears, informally trained lawyer born in some little shanty down in Kentucky!!  No matter our potential it is sometimes very difficult to overcome our reputation.

By the same token, when we are serving God with our lives - not our church attendance, our "good, clean living" or our measly tithe - when we really surrender to Him our ALL, our reputation will precede us.  Ruth had demonstrated true compassion for her mother-in-law and others.  Boaz heard of this sincere compassion and was pleased to be able to offer the same in return to Ruth.  Ruth's reputation literally saved her life.  Her reputation ensured her safety and allowed her to become a blessing to all those around her.  As Boaz said it, Ruth was rewarded "well for what [she had] done".

What have you done?  Will you be rewarded for it when everyone finds out?  Rest assured they will find out and your reputation will bear that mark for quite some time ahead.  Knowing this, get real about your thoughts, your words, and your actions.  Build a reputation that reflects the love of Christ in your life.  Then when people "have heard all about you", they will be drawn closer to the Father and be the better for it!

Lord, help us to understand that in this moment we are defining the world's perception of who we are and Who we serve.  We are changing our own lives and the lives of others - either for better or for worse.  Nothing goes unnoticed and we are never the only ones impacted by our poor decisions or our wrong doing.  Give us a "Ruth spirit" - a true heart of compassion and love, focused on You - that we may be blessed and so that You may "reward us well" for what we have done!  In Jesus' Name, Amen!!

"When the hay is removed and new growth appears and the grass from the hills is gathered in, the lambs will provide you with clothing, and the goats with the price of a field." (Proverbs 27:25-26, NIV)

Refresh!  Renew!  Revitalize!  Rejuvenate!  Brighten and Whiten!!  Do these infomercial and "beauty" product container slogans hit you the same way they do me?  Have you ever really listened to some of this stuff or read the containers??  Everytime I do, my intelligence is insulted a little bit more!  Manufacturers and reatailers would have us believe that their products are so much better than the competitors that our quality of life will be greatly improved if we choose their product over the competition's product.  AND God forbid that we might ever go with the "generic equivalent".  If you go with generic toothpaste you know you're not going to get that "Blast of Cool Whitening Efervessence" or that "Tingling Clean Sensation"!!  We really are suckers, aren't we?

Though there's no fantastical marketing scheme associated with it, there is a choice that is truly life-altering.  The writer of Proverbs gives us an example of being refreshed, renewed and revived.  You'll miss it if you're not careful, but the scripture above, in a seemingly passive few words really reveals something profound.  They write, "When the hay is removed and new growth appears...."  The Christian life is a journey.  The real journey - not the "Health, Wealth and Prosperity" pitch - is a series of peeling back the layers.  It is a journey marked with periods of tearing down and building up.  It is intended to be a time for laying down and taking up - dying to self and living in Christ.  It is a continual process - a journey and not a destination.  A cutting away of the old and the putting on of the New.

I'm often disappointed when my toothpaste doesn't actually give me that "cool tingling" feeling.  And I must admit that I'm a little let down when smelling my pillow case doesn't immediately transport me to riding in an air balloon through an amazingly clear blue Spring sky!  But when God reveals item after item that I need to shed to become more effective for Him and His Kingdom, there is never disappointment!

I encourage you today to cut out some of the old, dry foliage from your life and allow room for new growth in Christ.  Those clippings and cuttings will eventually blow away and fresh new life will spring up in their place!  He is faithful to reward our obedience! 

"God's name is a place of protection—
 good people can run there and be safe." (Proverbs 18:10, MSG)

Almost never fails!  The first leg of my flight was delayed, my connecting flight had a computer “glitch” that held us up 45 minutes past takeoff time (as luck would have it the “glitch” stopped the air circulation so it was also like 90 degrees in there!!), and to beat all that, my “Daddy” ended up in the seat next to me.  That’s right – as I tried to send my last text message prior to our being told to turn off all electronic devices, the guy seated next to me says, “You’re supposed to turn that thing off.”  Yeah – I know that!  I tried to subdue the sarcastic overtones in my response.  “Thanks, I will,” I said.  No one told him he was supposed to turn off his incessant snoring throughout the remainder of the flight!!  I love him, in Jesus’ Name.  J

I have learned not to question those circumstances I find myself in often.  I may not always like it and it may not always be the path or the process that I would have chosen, but I often wonder how many times God’s protective hand has saved me from imminent danger or certain death.  His Angels are on constant watch over His children.  Never underestimate the power of the untied shoe – and the 15 seconds it causes you to have to stop so you can re-tie it.  That accident that happened just in front of you might have happened to you but for that untied shoe!  That slow driver in front of you on the way to work may have kept you from pulling out in front of a bus or hitting a pedestrian.  That delayed flight....well, you get the picture.  You really never know what He may be protecting you from, but you know for sure that He is protecting you.

We have a friend from several years ago whose three-year –old son was involved in a horrifying fall from a second story window at their home.  His father had been working on a ladder just outside the little boy’s room.  The window was open so he could access some tools he had been using.  The little boy’s curiosity got the better of him and as he was standing near the window looking out, he fell the 12 or 13 feet to the concrete patio below.  The parents heard his cries and immediately ran to him.  Amazingly, there were no scrapes, no bruises, not a scratch!  Except for the scare, the boy was essentially unharmed.  A few weeks later while they were driving down the road, the boy asked his mother from the back seat, “Mom, you know the other day when I fell?”  “Yes,” she replied.  “The white people caught me!”, he exclaimed.  “The white people” is how a three-year-old boy describes Angels!! 

Lord, thank You for Your constant covering and protection.  We pray that You will continue to gurad us from the physical AND the spiritual attacks of the devil.  He understands that You have a purpose for Your people and he wants to destroy us.  We are safe in You, O Lord!!  Guard us!!  Amen!!!

"Regarding life together and getting along with each other, you don't need me to tell you what to do. You're God-taught in these matters. Just love one another!" (1 Thessalonians 4:9, MSG)

The poet, Wystan Huhg Auden wrote, "Love each other or perish."  Life is a series of short, intermediate and long-term relationships.  Short relationships are acquaintances and conversations, intermediate relationships are those "seasonal" relationships, friendships, courtships, etc. that blossom for a period of time and then fade.  Our long-term relationships are our familial relationships and lifetime firendships - these you either have no control over (related is related, right?) or you don't want to change anything about them!  No matter the category, one thing is sure - if you do not love and respect your counterpart in the relationship, it will not flourish.  You can get off on the wrong foot in the short term, fail to be considerate in the intermediate term or just be a jerk in the long-term OR you can truly love, care for and focus on the individual with whom you are building relationship.

The world is full of self-absorption.  People are so distracted by themselves that they fail to recognize (let alone meet) the needs of those around them.  The tragedy is that the most severely impacted victims can be the ones we should be loving the most.  Husbands and wives fail to truly serve each other - and marriages fall apart.  Friends are friends in need only and not in deed - and the relationship sours - dies in time.  Children and parents become so obsessed with their own lives that they fail to appropriately foster the relationship with their own direct flesh and blood.  And the family is fast becoming an institution of lore.  What can be done?

As Christians, we cannot correct everyone else's issues.  We CAN, however, decide to love in our own relationships.  We can choose to demonstrate the love that Jesus demonstrates for us still.  If a friend is hurting, listen.  Married couples, if another couple you know is struggling in their relationship, invite them over for dinner - don't counsel - just love each other and demonstrate the patience and thoughtfulness that fosters 50 year marriages!  If your child is distant - shut up and listen - you will learn so much by hearing what they have to say instead of vomiting rules and regulations all over them!

Lord, we know that without Love, we are nothing.  We know that without Love, we will surely perish.  Teach us to love as You love.  Teach us to care as You care.  Teach us to see as You see.  Amen.

"I can't do a solitary thing on my own: I listen, then I decide. You can trust my decision because I'm not out to get my own way but only to carry out orders. If I were simply speaking on my own account, it would be an empty, self-serving witness. But an independent witness confirms me, the most reliable Witness of all." (John 5:30, MSG)

Who are you?  Who am I?  Who are we??  Philosophers, psychologists, scientists and politicians have been trying to tell us for centuries.  No amount of logic, reason or mathematical calculation can sum it up.  Why does the world continue to ask the question?  Because the answer escapes the intellectual thought process!  As Christians, we know the answer.  God has chosen to reveal to us the meaning of life and to answer our question as to who we really are.  The secret answer?  We are nobody.  We are nothing.

Jesus revealed who we are in the 5th chapter of John.  "I can't do a solitary thing on my own."  If Jesus recognized His dependence on the wisdom, direction and life-flow of the Father, how much more should you and I recognize that we are NOTHING if we are not in Him?

The world could easily appease their longing to find themselves if they'd start by finding Christ and making him the center - the entire focus - of their otherwise miserable and wasted lives.  Sound extreme?  Maybe to the ear that hasn't heard the call of the Spirit's voice.

Why do we make mistakes?  Why do "good" people do bad things?  Jesus laid that secret on us too: " You can trust my decision because I'm not out to get my own way but only to carry out orders."  Seek God's direction for your life.  Stop struggling with what to do!  Stop sweating the small stuff AND the big stuff and allow God to take control of your life!  You don't have to worry about who you are, where you've been or where you're going.  He's got all that covered.  Sit back, relax and enjoy the ride.  You are who He created you to be and He will unroll your greatest destiny in front of you - if we just get out of the way!!

Lord take complete control of our lives.  You gave our lives to us and we surrender them fully back to you!  Amen!

"God is higher than anything and anyone,
  outshining everything you can see in the skies.
 Who can compare with God, our God,
  so majestically enthroned,
 Surveying his magnificent
  heavens and earth?" (Psalm 113:4-5, MSG)

Wow!  I don't know if the sunrise looked the same from where you are reading this devotional today, but I never cease to be amazed at the breathtaking scenes that God has designed.  he set the rising and the setting of the sun in motion.  He alone spoke beauty into existence!  He has created all things and is above them - just like the writer of Psalm 113 says.

Let these words become a part of your life and your love-relationship with Jesus:

No highest hill, no deepest sea

Could ever match the wondrous Grace You offer me.

No star above, no wonder of the Earth

Could ever write your words of wisdom on my heart

But all creation sings, the Earth is filled with praise.

The rhythm of the waves resounds the heartbeat of a King

The rain that falls sings of Your tender mercies

The brightness of Your eyes in every day's sunrise

All creation sings!

Thank Him today for all that He has created for us to enjoy!!!  Amen!

"He has shown you, O man, what is good; 
   And what does the LORD require of you? 
   But to do justly, to love mercy
   and to walk humbly with your God." (Micah 6:8, NKJV)

Norman Vincent Peale is quoted as saying, "The more you lose yourself in something bigger than yourself, the more energy you will have.” 

I don't recognize humility as something you do.  Humility is something you are.  People can smell insincerity 1000 miles away.  Dr. Peale describes it aptly in the phrase "lose yourself".  Jesus said it long before Dr. Peale - "He must increase, but I must decrease." (John 3:30, KJV)  Jesus gives us and ultimately shows us the essence of "walk humbly with your God".  He taught us that no servant is greater than his master (Matthew 10:34), that there is no life-limit on the extent of our service to our friends (John 15:13), and in Mark 9:35 (MSG), Jesus says, "So you want first place? Then take the last place. Be the servant of all."

How much clearer does it get?  Our goal in this life should not be to achieve the highest position, but to offer the highest level of excellent service to God and to our fellow man.  Our objective is to give our live away so that others may have the Abundant Life offered through the power of Jesus and His precious Holy Spirit. 

As a child growing up in the Baptist church, those who were appointed deacons pretty much ran the show!  This very scriptural position was designed to support the ministry of the church and to allow for the management of the "business" of the church so that those called to lead were free to lead, teach and minister.  Let me preface my next comments by saying that I have met some wonderful Godly men who served in the position of deacon.  There.  Now, the term deacon is worded in the Greek word meaning "under-rower".  An under rower is a slave on a ship powered primarily by the rowing power of men.  There were usually multiple decks of levels that contained row after row of these slaves chained to wooden benches, feet shackled, rowing day and night with only brief periods of rest allowed.  They did everything in that seat.  They ate there, slept there and "did their business" there.  Can you imagine being on the lowest level with a couple of levels of slaves above you?  Can you imagine the foulness of the substances seeping through the gaps in the plank floors above?  That thought gives new meaning to "sea sickness", huh?  Somewhere through the years, many church leaders have lost sight of their role as a servant - as under-rowers.  They have abandoned humility and placed themselves in positions of authority well beyond God's design for their mission.

Practice, embrace and become humility.  Become the servant that you have been ordained to become - both to God and your neighbor.  In Jesus' name, AMEN!

"He has shown you, O man, what is good; 
   And what does the LORD require of you? 
   But to do justly, to love mercy
   and to walk humbly with your God." (Micah 6:8, NKJV)

What is mercy?  Isn't it really the same thing as grace?  When we pray, "Lord, cover us with Your Grace and Mercy," aren't we really repeating ourselves?  The answer to the latter question is no.  Grace and Mercy are, indeed, two very different things.  Here's how it has been described:  "Grace is what God gives us that we don't deserve. Mercy is what God doesn't give us that we do deserve."

Jesus demonstrated both the Mercy of God and the Grace of God on the Cross.  He released Grace in that we have now become joint heirs with Him!  We are Sons and Daughters of the Living God!  We are now free to approach the Throne of Grace just as boldly as Jesus does simply because we come in His Name.  The things that we were cut off from before, eternal forgiveness and blessings from the Hand of God like healing and other Gifts of the Spirit, are now ours through Grace.  Grace is the unmerited favor of God - much like the father of the prodigal demonstrated.  He didn't have to acknowledge the return of the son at all.  Even to have made him a servant in his house would have been a demonstration of grace, but instead the father lavished grace upon the son celebrating his return and restoring him fully to family status.

Mercy is demonstrated in that Christ's death on the Cross redeemed us from the punishment and eternal separation from God that we truly deserve. 

"We looked down on him, thought he was scum.
But the fact is, it was our pains he carried—
 our disfigurements, all the things wrong with us.
We thought he brought it on himself,
 that God was punishing him for his own failures.
But it was our sins that did that to him,
 that ripped and tore and crushed him—our sins!
He took the punishment, and that made us whole.
 Through his bruises we get healed." (Isaiah 53 excerpt, MSG)

Jesus gave birth to Spiritual Mercy when He took upon Himself our punishment and rescued us from eternal death.  Charles Sprague wrote, "Hate shuts her soul when dove-eyed mercy pleads."  Mercy is the gift of God that, when demonstrated in our lives, allows us to gain the victory over hatred, bigotry, unforgiveness, gossip and judgemental attitudes toward others.

When God spoke of Mercy to Micah, He not only directed us to practice Mercy.  He instructed us to "love" Mercy.  You and I should dole out Mercy to those around us just as we have been given such extreme measures of Mercy through the Hand of God. Christ's sacrifice which made Mercy possible can only be seen in the level of Mercy we render in this life.  We are the reflection of the light of His Love, His forgiveness and His Mercy in a dark, lost and dying world.

Love Mercy!  We are the recipients of Grace, but we are the authors of Mercy!

"He has shown you, O man, what is good; 
   And what does the LORD require of you? 
   But to do justly, to love mercy
   and to walk humbly with your God." (Micah 6:8, NKJV)

We have a couple (well, maybe more than that:)) of standard phrases around our house.  There's "Did you mean NOT to do it?", "I will think before I say or do.", the old standby - "1....2....", and others I likely would never publish...:)

I have my own favorite phrase though, and the kids can quote it back to you if you ask them to.  I ask the question, "Why do we do the right thing?"  They answer, "Because it's the right thing."

It's that simple, really, isn't it?  I always explain to them that we don't do the right thing because it's always the easiest path or because it feels better or makes us happier in the moment.  We do the right thing simply because it's the right thing!  If we close the door on the option to do the wrong thing in situations that pose the choice, life really is much easier!

The Word of God as given through the heart of the prophet Micah instructs us to "do justly".  How do we fill that bill?  I think it's simple.  Do the right thing.  Notice I didn't say it was easy, but simple.  It's not hard to figure out that if we just treat others fairly and do the right thing according to God's instruction and direction in our lives, we can become the essence of "doing justly".

Today, try a simple exercise.  When faced with situations or challenges, ask yourself, "What is the right thing to do here?"  Seek God's guidance in the matter and then act on His urging.  Try it at work, at home, at school, wherever you may be today.  I promise the result will ultimately prove to you that this simple approach is effective.  Another assignment:  I'd love for you to share with us a situation in your life where you applied this priniciple and it proved itself!  Let us know by commenting on this site!  We are praying for you as you "Do The Right Thing!"

"The reason I left you in Crete was that you might straighten out what was left unfinished ...." (Titus 1:5, NIV)

When I read the verse above, all I can think of or envision is Titus standing on the edge of the pier on the island of Crete sorrowfully waving goodbye to Paul as Paul continues his journey as a prisoner headed for Rome.  Titus, likely a convert of Paul's early in his ministry, is left behind to finalize the establishment of the church at Crete.

Crete is traditionally known as an island full of sailors and mercenaries on hand to thwart the advance of piracy on the Mediterranean and Agean Seas.  Crete's populous was widely diverse having served as a virtual bridge for centuries between Greece and Asia Minor.

So here is Titus, left alone on a massive island purported in Roman writings to be covered by 100 different cities, all filled with sailors, traders and soldiers-for-hire.  I'd cry.

Paul's greeting is followed by a 3 chapter series of instructions, directions and suggestions to Titus about how the church in Crete should be shepherded.  We see the direction to establish elders, squash theological arguments and instruction as to how the members of the church (all the way from slave to master) should conduct their lives as Christians and newcomers to Faith in Christ.

What strikes me most about Titus is his apparent courage in the Faith!  This guy was a brave soul!  We whimper and whine because we are afraid to say anything spiritual at work or because we fear rejection if we attempt to share our faith with our neighbor, colleague or even close friends at times.  And to beat it all, we have a huge support network in local pastors, church members, Life Group leaders and Christian family members to depend upon.  Titus was alone, left to build a foundational Christian presence in a lost and hostile culture!

Lord, give us the boldness of Titus.  Place upon us the mantle of courage that he so effectively displays for us.  Let us be the light of Hope in a lost and dying world, so that all may see the Glory of Your Son!  Amen!

 don't make light of it,

 and when he corrects you,

 don't be discouraged.

 The Lord corrects the people

 he loves

 and disciplines those

 he calls his own." (Hebrews 12:5-6, CEV)

For 5 years we looked at that kelly-green carpet - all the rage of the late '80's and early '90's interior decorating world!!  We had a million discussions about how worn it was.  We painted the walls, hung cornice boards and decorated with accessories almost like it wasn't kelly-green carpet on the floors!!!  What were we thinking??  Everything looked great - except that darn green carpet!!! 

Several weeks ago, we finally made the decision to do away with that carpet once and for all.  We hired a contractor - a dear friend and his son - to do the installation and we purchased our favorite hardwood - cherry stained hard rock maple planks - beautiful.  Trey and I unloaded the 2 ton cargo from the trailer late one night and filled our kitchen and dining area with 6 foot long boxes of the stuff.

The day came last week when the carpet was torn out, some old hardwood was removed and the installation of the new flooring began.  Even the sub-flooring looked better than that carpet.  But here's the thing, we were immediately in a huge mess.  The men doing the work were meticulous about cleaning up after themselves and leaving things in great order during the overnights for us, but even in the best case scenario, that kind of work leaves your home in disarray.  Dust everywhere, furniture crammed into rooms adjoining the room where the work is being done, etc.  The fact that Rhonda and I are both a little OCD doesn't help matters in that situation either!

Here's the good part.  They finished the room on Thursday afternoon and WOW!  It is unbelievable how much better the room looked when they were done!  It made all of the misery of the mess worth it - no doubt!  We bought rugs, moved the furniture back in and just sat and admired the beautiful new floor.

"....and when He corrects you, don't be discouraged...."

There is a quote that goes something like this, "Don't give up on me.  He isn't finished with me yet."  We are all a work in progress.  As the Lord carves away at the flesh, this lump of clay can look pretty hideous.  The mess we feel we are in can be really uncomfortable, but there is a Light at the end of the tunnel.  There is hope for us yet!  God is saying to each of us, "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." (Jeremiah 29:11, NIV) 

While it may seem painful and uncomfortable right now, embrace the change - the renovation - that God, through the power of His Spirit, is making possible in your life.  When the dust settles and the smoke clears, He will be able to sit back on His throne and admire the beautiful new creature you have become in Him.  He has a plan and you have a purpose.  Allow Him to get rid of the old and usher in the new in your life!!  You'll be glad you did!

"Through the Spirit, Christ offered himself as an unblemished sacrifice, freeing us from all those dead-end efforts to make ourselves respectable, so that we can live all out for God." (Hebrews 9:15, MSG)

Can you imagine how cumbersome the law was (and is still) for those who practice(d) it?  Having to count your steps on the Sabbath?  This cloak, that head gear, shoes here and no shoes there?  I can eat that and I can eat that, but I can't eat them together?  Though ordained by God as a part of His plan leading to the ultimate sacrifice of His Son to cover the sins of all men forever, I am so thankful I am not bound by the law!!!  (Although, I do like the frequent washing part...:))

Jesus' death on the Cross released us from the curse of the law.  The curse of the law was not ordained by God, but rather engineered by man.  The law, taken out of context and interpreted with the simple mind of man, can actually lead to bondage and destruction.  Only man can take something so holy and so pure and mess it up! 

Unfortunately, the world hasn't changed much in that respect.  We still find pockets of people who misinterpret and take out of context the elements of Grace and Mercy the Bible so clearly instructs us about.  Folks proudly stand and read scripture announcing freedom in Christ, while judging others because of the way they wear their hair, the music they listen to or the clothes they are wearing!  How ridiculous!  Jesus said it best when He defended His disciples' eating habits to the temple leadership.  He quickly let them know that it is not what goes into a man that makes him unclean, but what comes out.

It's not about the clothes we wear, who can weave the highest hair bun or the length of our sleeves or skirts!  It's not about what we eat or the music we sing!  It's not about anything other than a desperate love relationship with Jesus!!!  We serve a loving, caring and forgiving God who sees the deepest part of us and could not care less about the filthy rags we wear!  "Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." (I Samuel 16:7, NIV)

Lord, rescue us from us!!  Teach us Your ways, Your love, and give us Your eyes!  Help us to see the inner man and to love deeply what You have made.  Don't allow us to get sidetracked and distracted by the petty and ridiculous opinions and whims of man, but to stay focused on our love relationship with You.  Amen.

" There is a way that seems right to a man,
  But its end is the way of death." (Proverbs 16:25, NKJV)

"There's a way that looks harmless enough;
 look again—it leads straight to hell." (Proverbs 16:25, MSG)

You know the phrase - "If it feels good, do it!"  How could 6 little words, all of 5 letters or less, bring such pain and wreak such havoc?  Generations have followed this mantra so far down the path of destruction!  Leaving wisdom behind, ignoring consequences they have often been well aware of, and moving on in their sin-lives only to regret their actions when all is said and done.

A few years ago, I had an idea for a book.  The title?  "If it feels good AFTER, do it!"  What if men and women truly considered the consequences of their decisions BEFORE they make them??  Now, I recognize that there's no genius in that question, but it is amazing how many people will trade a lifetime of peace, a life free from guilt and shame for only seconds or moments of pleasure or immediate gratification.  Sound familiar? 

I seriously doubt there is anyone reading this today that doesn't get exactly what I'm talking about.  We find ourselves in the heat of the moment and give in to our weaknesses, turning ourselves over to the "reprobate mind" Paul warned the Romans about.  This conceding to sin doesn't just pertain to sinful and perverse sexual activity - our passions unbridled can lead down many wrong paths.  Compulsive behaviors are rampant - overspending, overindulging in food or alcohol, drug use and abuse (yes, sleeping pills and pain killers apply here, folks), casual "truth-bending", and the list goes on and on and on...........

So, here's the new mantra for God's people today and going forward?  Will this feel good after?  It's that simple.  Will this feel as good after I think it, say it or do it as it does before and during?  Will I feel better or worse after the few moments of exhiliration are gone and I am left to sort out the guilt, the shame and the embarrassment I feel because I couldn't control myself.  Direct your thoughts, words and actions toward conduct with a positive return.  Who feels bad after spending quality time with their spouse or family?  Who feels bad after eating a healthy meal or drinking alcohol in moderation or having a glass of tea?!?!  Who feels bad when they use their prescription drugs for the purpose they are truly intended, administering the appropriate dosage?  Who feels bad when they match their revenue to their expenses and come up in the black?!?!?  Nobody!!! 

Now, you know the secret!!  Thank you, Lord for revealing to us how simple it is to live "the good life"!!  Teach us to clearly discern the path You would have us to follow and to act according to Your plan for our lives.  Give us the courage to follow Your good and perfect will in everything we think, say or do.  Help us to understand the fullness we can experience if we will only stop and apply the philosophy of "If it feels good AFTER, do it!!"  Amen!!!

"My voice You shall hear in the morning, O LORD;
   In the morning I will direct it to You,
   And I will look up." (Psalm 5:3 - NKJV)

"Keep your eye on the ball."  I played baseball when I was in elementary school and on into junior high.  I played centerfield.  Most centerfielders are out there because of their speed and their keen eye for effectively judging the distance the ball will travel.  Me?  I think I was out there because very few players (especially in elementary school) hit the ball straight (either swinging early or late sending the ball to left or right field) and they don't hit the ball very far!  I'm pretty certain Coach Anderkin put me in the position where I could do the least damage to my own team!!  I got lucky on a few occasions and caught a pop fly or two, but for the most part, I had a great seat!

Batting wasn't a whole lot more prodcutive for me.  I remember very few hits.  Now, that could just be because it was so long ago, but it's likely because I didn't have many!  I do remember striking out some.  I never really understood the art of batting.  Keep your eye on the ball?  Yeah, I kept my eye on the ball alright - just enough to know if it were coming across the plate or straight at me!  I can remember being afraid of getting hit.  Maybe that had an impact on my batting average.  At any rate, it was pretty poor.

I love it when David says "I will look up".  David mastered the art of worship.  When it came to praising God, thanking Him and recognizing the Source of all things good, David batted 1000.  When our focus is properly trained and our eyes are set on things above, spiritual home runs are common!  My favorite verse of scripture is Hebrews 12:2.  It reads, "Looking unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith.  Who, for the joy that was set before Him, endured the Cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the Throne of God."  Here's a different translation:  "Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we're in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now he's there, in the place of honor, right alongside God." (MSG)

Paul said, "I (don't) count myself an expert in all of this, but I've got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus." (Philippians 3:14 - MSG)

When Peter got out of the boat, he had no issue walking on water until he took his eyes off the Source of his newfound freedom.  It was when he took his eyes off Jesus and started paying attention to the waves crashing around him (tranlsated - junk in our lives) that he got into trouble!

Fix your eyes on Jesus.  Recognize that your hope is found in looking UP!  When the waves start or the world hurls something at you fast, you won't focus there.  You'll stand in the box, swing like a giant and knock life out of the park!!  You can do it!

"Suppose one of you had a hundred sheep and lost one. Wouldn't you leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the lost one until you found it? When found, you can be sure you would put it across your shoulders, rejoicing, and when you got home call in your friends and neighbors, saying, 'Celebrate with me! I've found my lost sheep!' Count on it—there's more joy in heaven over one sinner's rescued life than over ninety-nine good people in no need of rescue."  (Luke 15:4-7, MSG)

I was just telling somebody how good he is.  He always stays near home, never roams far and is just so attached to us.  He's a great dog!  That's "Elvis", our 6 year old Bassett Hound the amazing family pet.  Not amazing for what he can do - but for what he doesn't do.  He doesn't bark, he doesn't bite and he doesn't ever leave the property - mostly.....that's where the story really begins.

Last night at around 10:00 PM or so, I realized that Elvis was MIA.  I didn't really think too much about that because he and the neighbor dog share food bowls freely and if he isn't at our house, he can usually be found very close.  I called for him, but got no response.  This continued through the night and into the morning.  At about 6:15 AM, during one of my many trips through our neighborhood and surrounding areas, I got a text message from Rhonda stating, "He's back."

I was perplexed.  I had nightmare visions of him being attacked and killed by coyotes or meeting with some other terrible end.  As I drove around, I would close my eyes to slit width knowing I was going to see him lying dead in the middle of the road.  I used a flashlight to patrol the ditchlines and came up empty.  I had no idea where he was and I was willing to give up sleep, call into work or whatever other measures I had to take to retrieve our family pet.

Later this morning, my neighbor called and apologized for having locked Elvis in their garage overnight unknowingly!!  He was so close!!  And I was so worried!!

Jesus said, "of how much more value are you than the birds?"  God loves you and He wants to keep you close.  He cares for all of His creation, but the animals were created for man's enjoyment.  Man was created for God's enjoyment!  He never sleeps.  He calls to us through the night and sings over us.  He desires to be close to us and to keep us safe - far from the evils that would devour us in this world.  He would leave the "ninety and nine" and pursue you to the ends of the universe.  That's why He was willing to give His only Son - so you could be redeemed.

Run to Him when He calls and stay close to Him - always.  I wanted to chastise Elvis, but I was so glad to see him!!  How much more is our Father delighted when we return to Him and call Him Lord!

"My days come and go swifter than the click of knitting needles,
 and then the yarn runs out—an unfinished life!" (Job 7:6, MSG)

Remember the song by the Steve Miller Band?  The title was "Fly Like An Eagle".  The phrase we most remember is "Time keeps on slippin', slippin' into the future".....

That song is prime fodder for the Christian song coverter!!  Read the rest of the lyrics:

I want to fly like an eagle
To the sea
Fly like an eagle
Let my spirit carry me
I want to fly like an eagle
Till I'm free
Oh, Lord, through the revolution

Feed the babies
Who don't have enough to eat
Shoe the children
With no shoes on their feet
House the people
Livin' in the street
Oh, oh, there's a solution

I want to fly like an eagle
To the sea
Fly like an eagle
Let my spirit carry me
I want to fly like an eagle
Till I'm free
Fly through the revolution 

Replace "my spirit" with "Your Spirit" and you've got yourself a solid Contemporary Christian tune with a very scripturally based message. 

Here's the deal - time does keep on slipping into the future.  With the passing of every precious moment we are making decisions that will last a lifetime.  In a moment of desperation, the unborn life is taken and the woman may never heal.  In a few moments of weakness, the husband or wife unwittingly destroys the family that they love forever.  In a moment of rage,  lives collide - one ends in death, the other in a life sentence - destroyed.  Just a few minutes of smoking that to appease his/her friends sets in motion an abbreviated lifetime filled with addictions and disease.  A few moments of greed bring about the downfall of the successful executive - he throws himself from the upper floors and ends his self-made misery - gone without hope.  In an instant.  And time keeps on slippin', slippin'............ 

For the human race, there are no idle moments.  They are either spent focused on things above or things here below.  There's no such thing as a moderate Christian.  There are no insignificant decisions.  The thoughts we think, the words we speak, the actions we take - all are immediately a part of the "history books".  There are no second chances to get it right. 

We need to navigate our lives using Christ as our compass.  His sinless, perfectly served life is the road map we must follow to Grace.  Don't cruise through life today as though your decisions aren't really impacting those around you, those who come behind you and those who are looking to you to find their way as life passes them by at the speed of light. 

There is Hope.  We will not always get it right.  That's where the Grace and Mercy made possible through Jesus and His God-Life come into play.  These two elements of the Christian walk are the game-changers.  Job said he ended his nights without hope, but you and I have Jesus - the One who knew no sin.  In Him there is Hope.

Be careful little eyes, ears, mouths and minds today.  Time is slippin' - make the most of every minute.

"Let love be without hypocrisy." (Romans 12:9, NKJV)

In 1955, a movie was released entitled, "Love Is a Many Splendored Thing".  Most notably the result?  The song titled the same.  Here are the lyrics as recorded by The Four Aces for the movie soundtrack:

"Love is a many-splendored thing,
It's the April rose that only grows in the early spring,
Love is nature's way of giving a reason to be living,
The golden crown that makes a man a king.
Once on a high and windy hill,
In the morning mist two lovers kissed and the world stood still,
Then your fingers touched my silent heart and taught it how to sing,
Yes, true love's a many-splendored thing."

The Message translates Romans 12:9  like this:

"Love from the center of who you are.  Don't fake it."

The world loves for many reasons:  people pretend to love for money, they pretend to love for sex, they pretend to love for companionship, they pretend to love for power or political gain, and they pretend to love to maintain appearances or out of some obligatory situation.  Whatever the reasons, we should grieve for, pray for and reach out to those people.

As true believers, you and I know the essence of true Love.  Love for us is personified in Christ.  The willingness to "lay down His life for His friends" is the pinnacle of Love demonstrated for all of eternity.  It is the example for us to follow and the highest goal we should be striving for in our lives.  When Jesus was asked what the most important commandment was, He responded with two - both were centered around none other than the topic of Love:  "love the Lord your God with all your passion and prayer and muscle and intelligence—and that you love your neighbor as well as you do yourself." (Luke 10:27, MSG)  He knew that if we could get those right, everything else would fall perfectly into step with God's will for our lives.

Let our love today be real - not fake.  Let us love generously, give freely and embrace all that this Love-Life has to offer us!  Love is, indeed, a "many splendored thing"!

"I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly." (John 10:10, MSG)

"Just walk!  do you see anybody else walking like that?  What if you saw somebody walking down through here bouncing off everything you come into contact with?  Wouldn't you think they were strange?"

"Just carry the bag, Son.  You don't have to twirl it or spin it or throw it up and catch it.  Just carry it!"

"No, Son.  No flips.  You're going to break your neck!  Why can't you just jump and be happy??"

"Don't eat so fast.  You're going to choke to death!"

William, we can't hear the music in the headphones and we don't want to!  Stop singing so loud!"

The more I write, the more foolish I feel.  The more I write, the more I recognize that I'm the one that needs a reality check.  Why don't more of us bounce off things while we're walking?  Why don't more of us sing at the top of our lungs when we're listening to the music we love?  Why don't more of us do flips on the trampoline?  Okay, maybe that one is a little easier to explain...:).

Maybe it's unfortunate that we CAN sit still.  What are we missing in this "life more abundant" because we don't do our own thing?  I'm not talking about going out and having a knock-down, get drunk wild time - please receive all of this in the proper context.  I'm talking about a spring in our step for what appears to be no reason at all!  What IF everybody walked that way?!?!  What IF everybody sang that loud?!?!  What IF everybody laughed that hard?!?!  What IF everybody danced in the dressing room?!?! (Remember that one?)

Jesus brought us LIFE!  And He said He came that we might have it MORE ABUNDANTLY!  The Word tells us "do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind."  (Rom. 12:2, NKJV).  "The Message" says it like this: "So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you."

So, skip a little - you go, Dad!  Laugh until you cry.  Dance in the dressing room and bounce off a wall the next time you're walking in the mall!!  You'll get a few funny stares and glances, but those people are missing out on all the fun!! 

Live this LIFE and live it MORE ABUNDANTLY!!!!  We all thank you, William!! 

Read Exodus 10.

Pharoah just didn't get it, did he?  He wanted relief from the plagues, but he didn't want to give up his essentially free labor force!  So, he gave a little inch by inch, all along the way pretending he was outwitting Moses, the Israelite nation and the Living God.  Finally, God took the firstborn of every Egyptian household.  Still, Pharoah only pretended to give up the fight.  Even after releasing Moses - everybody and everything that went with him - Pharoah tried to chase them down and kill them.  What part of "Let My people go" did he not understand??  Even Pharoah's constituency tried to convince him to give up, but his stubborness nearly destroyed a nation completely.

How different are we from good ole Thutmose III (likely the pharoah of the period during which this story unfolds)?  We want to be released from the consequences of our sin and stubborness, so we often begin a journey filled with a series of messed up concessions.  Our sin nature is hard to defeat on our own.  Maybe we give up a few major sins in our lives and expect to receive the fullness of the God-Life.  We continue to struggle and are perplexed!  God doesn't do anything partial!  You cannot be partially saved.  You cannot be partially forgiven (Christ didn't almost die!!).  God has given up everything and He expects the same from us.  Paul said "to die is gain, to live is Christ."

Stop holding on to your habits, your feelings, your pain, your sickness, your disease, your hatred, your animosity.  Turn it all over to the "Finisher" of your Faith.  Don't go halfway to the altar of sacrifice for blessing!!  Part of us is never acceptable.  God needs all of you in order to give you all of Him.  If you're struggling today wanting more of God in your life - more of the Spirit-Life you've been promised, then stop asking why God isn't giving you all of Him and begin understanding the ways in which you may be holding back part of you!  You'll be amazed at the things you are holding on to tightly.  And when you release them, you'll be amazed at what God can begin to fill the void with!

Give it up!  Give Him your ALL!!  

"But you'll welcome us with open arms
  when we run for cover to you.
 Let the party last all night!
  Stand guard over our celebration.
 You are famous, God, for welcoming God-seekers,
  for decking us out in delight." (Psalm 5:11-12, MSG)

I don't sleep much.  As a child, I didn't want to miss anything.  Our lives were pretty simple, so I'm not sure what it was I was waiting up for, but I just liked being awake.  As a teenager and college student, my being an insomniac wasn't such an uncommon thing.  Everybody was up!  I can tell you - we should have been sleeping - I would have made more classes, gotten better grades and graduated sooner had I been responsible in getting more sleep!  Even now as an adult, I don't sleep much.  I average about 4-5 hours every night.  I still don't want to miss anything!  I have also discovered that it is in someway comforting for me to be awake while my family is sleeping peacefully.  It is a time that I can be awake and know that they are at peace.  That they are comfortable and safe.  I love hearing them breathe slowly and rhythmically during the night - and knowing they are at rest.

In his song, "Smellin' Coffee", Chris Rice wrote:

"Well I remember readin' You're the God who never sleeps
And while I've been dreamin' You've been singing over me, yeah
Singin' about my freedom, wakin' me up to hear Your song, and now I can't dance hard enough
'Cause yesterday is gone, gone, gone!"

Some of my most intimate communion experiences with the Father have been during those times during the middle of the night when I take time to worship Him - to thank Him for the peaceful rest He has provided for my family, for the miracles He has performed in our lives.  He always shows up!  He meets me in the slightest hours of the morning.  He sings over us and He never sleeps! 

Seek Him early. He's up!

Then Peter said, "Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk."   Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man's feet and ankles became strong.   He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God.   When all the people saw him walking and praising God, they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him." (Acts 3:1-10 - NIV)

To say this is a great miracle story would certainly be an understatement.  But there is a "passing" statement in here that really got me this morning.  "He jumped up and began to walk."

Can you imagine how long this man had dreamed of walking?  His entire life had been spent wishing he could walk.  As a child, he watched other children running through wheat fields and gardens.  As a young man, he watched while husbands and wives strolled together to the market or to the synagogue.  Now as an older man, he observed thousands daily moving through the temple courts and the streets of Jerusalem.  His entire life spent dreaming of one day being able to have the freedom to go where he wanted to go without being carried!

And the Power of God through the suffering of Christ made it happen in an instant.  His dream became reality.  Yours can too!  You've been dreaming all your life about fulfilling your purpose the way you've seen others fulfill theirs.  You long for the freedom to be what God intended you to be without having to depend upon some interim mission where you find yourself immobilized - unable to reach your destiny.

That same Power is available to you today.  Your dreams in Him can become reality.  If you reach out, seek His grace for your life and are willing to surrender your all to Him, He will blow you away with destiny and the fulfillment of all your wildest life's dreams!!

Another word that comes shortly after in Acts 3.....the healed man "hung on to Peter and John".  I love that!!  Once your dreams are realized, hang on to them with all your might!!  The enemy will despise your contribution and your obedience, so prepare for battle!!  I'll be praying for you!!

"So, my very dear friends, don't get thrown off course. Every desirable and beneficial gift comes out of heaven. The gifts are rivers of light cascading down from the Father of Light. There is nothing deceitful in God, nothing two-faced, nothing fickle. He brought us to life using the true Word, showing us off as the crown of all his creatures." (James 1:17, MSG)

How do fire investigators determine how a fire started?  They work back from the point where the fire is extinguished, following what they recognize to be the primary path and ultimately identifying the source of the blaze.  They can determine the soruce of ignition, the flammable agent and the accelerator.  Wow....

When folks look back on your life, will the "fire" be evident?  Will they be able to look back from the point where your life ends and determine where it truly began?  Along the way will they see that God was your Source of Ignition?  Will they recognize Jesus as your Sustaining Agent?  Will the power of the Holy Spirit in your life be noticeably explosive - impacting events, lives and nations in much greater ways than should be possible for one person?

Father, I pray today that we will become spiritual arsonists.  May we set the world on fire for the Kingdom of God.  May we burn brightly as You do.  There is no shadow of turning with you.  You brought us to life - I am Yours and You are mine.  Amen.

Let me preface my thoughts today with an endorsement of sorts.  I love the History Channel.  It's a channel I can almost always turn to and find something that is interesting presented in an entertaining format that almost invariably is something I feel comfortable watching with my children.  It's good, educational, family viewing.  That stated, there have been a few occasions when I've been disappointed in the content.  At any point when the content is in opposition to the Bible.....well....as you might suspect, I'm fairly well offended.

I'm not what the world calls a "closed-minded" individual.  It doesn't have to be "my way or the highway" for me to satisfied.  But when it comes to the integrity of The Word - I draw the line.  Let me put that thought in proper context.  I agree that scripture can have more than one meaning - I in no way am prepared to limit God to my understanding of words and how they can be combined or interpreted to influence or impact our emotions, our convictions, our decisions, our lives.  However, I believe that any and all interpretations that contradict other scripture or that point to any other outcome than Christ crucified, risen and returning or that point to some deity other than Jehovah, The Living God as our ultimate and singular Creator, are empty and worthless.

So.....I'm flipping through channels and (Dr. Bryant, my famed Biblical Archeologist alter-ego) picks up on a documentary focused on the topic of Moses, the Egyptian plagues and the Red Sea crossing.  Some scientists were trying to offer up some natural phenomena as the reason for the plagues and for the crossing of the Hebrew children on dry land in the midst of an ocean. 

They said a natural chemical reaction in the water of the Euphrates could have changed the color of the river and killed all the fish in it.  If all the fish were dead, the millions of frog eggs they would normally eat could instead develop into live frogs.  The enormous frog population might not be supported with limited food source and they could die.  Decomposing fish and frog bodies could bring gnats and flies.  They said locust infestations were common.  They said that any pandemic could have taken the lives of older or teenage children.  They said that a 10 mph wind blowing for a sustained period of time over a certain point near a body of water (not at all determined to be where the Israelites crossed over dry land to escape from the Egyptian army) could cause the waters to recede to a point low enough that a person or people could walk across to the other side.  (BTW - could is a weird word if you look at it long enough)

Maybe they are correct that those things could happen.  It seems logical doesn't it?  But logic is lost completely when you calculate th odds of those things happening in rapid successive order!  What are the odds that all of these things might occur at the same or near the same time??  And it just happens to come immediately after Moses announces that they are going to happen IF Pharoah doesn't set his people free??  Come on!!! 

Here's a joke that brings all of this into perspective for us:

One day a group of scientists got together and decided that man had come a long way and no longer needed God. So they picked one scientist to go and tell Him that they were done with Him.

The scientist walked up to God and said, "God, we've decided that we no longer need you. We're to the point that we can clone people and do many miraculous things, so why don't you just go on and get lost?"

God listened very patiently and kindly to the man. After the scientist was done talking, God said, "Very well, how about this? Let's say we have a man-making contest." To which the scientist replied, "Okay, great!"

But, God added, "Now, we're going to do this just like I did back in the old days with Adam."

The scientist said, "Sure, no problem" and bent down and grabbed himself a handful of dirt.

God looked at him and said, "No, no, no. You go get your own dirt." (www.basicjokes.com)

"The Lord's Spirit

 has come to me,

 because he has chosen me

 to tell the good news

 to the poor.

 The Lord has sent me

 to announce freedom

 for prisoners,

 to give sight to the blind,

 to free everyone

 who suffers." (Luke 4:18 - Contemporary English Version)

Addiction.  That destructive recipe that begins with just a hint of deceit, squeezes in a morsel of escape, adds a pound of rationalization, and finally tops off with a heaping helping of both destruction and grief.  

The spirit of addiction is the most difficult to break.  It plays on our mental, our physcial and our emotional well being.  Addiction is an endless cycle of action, remorse, temptation, action, remorse, temptation........it tears at the fiber of our relationships, our sense of self-worth and our potential.  Addiction renders the human incapable of focusing on anything but the addicition itself - substance abuse, sexual promiscuity or perversion, gambling, etc. - these become the primary focus, the primary source of pleasure, and, ultimately for many, the pure reason for living.  The end of the journey?  Absolute and total destruction of a life meant to serve God and advance the Kingdom.  After all, that's why we were created.

Luke recorded Jesus as saying, "The Lord has sent Me to announce freedom to the prisoners."  There is hope for the addict!  The chains of addiction can be broken by the One Who knew no sin.  There is no valley so low that His Grace cannot reach us.  There is no grave so deep that the power of His resurrection cannot raise us up.  There is no addiction so strong that His Love and Mercy cannot overcome it!  He has announced His victory over sickness, depression, poverty, captivity and the grave.  Your battle is already won - all you need do is claim the prize of Grace for your life or for the life of the one you love who is struggling with something in their lives that has become more important than the truly important things in this life and the Life beyond.

Jesus "announced" that He had come to deliver us.  We are now His hands, His Feet and His voice to a dark and dying world.  Today, pray for those you know are struggling with addiction and take time to announce Freedom for the world to hear!  Amen. 

"Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger in the dirt. They kept at him, badgering him. He straightened up and said, "The sinless one among you, go first: Throw the stone." Bending down again, he wrote some more in the dirt." (John 8:6-8, MSG)

I love Jesus.  It's that simple.  I mean, even if He wasn't the Messiah, the Savior of the world, the One.  He's just so cool, calm and collect.  He's wise and patient and everyone wants to be around Him and be like Him.  He is the ultimate trend-setter - the ultimate teacher - The Man!

We have no idea how many times the Pharisees tried to trip Him up, but we have sufficient accounts to know that they were constantly scheming and planning ways to try to cause Him to misspeak or do something contrary to the Law.  Notice too, that they never did this in private.  They were trying to nail Him (so to speak) publicly.  They knew they needed witnesses to get a conviction.  Ultimately, they even paid witnesses to cry out for His execution.

But Jesus......He always turned the tables on those guys.  I never know the right thing to say and when to say it, but He humiliated "the robes" so many times!  I can see Peter and James and John now - trying desperately to muffle their laughter as the Pharisees stand their with NOTHIN'.....foiled again!!  I can see Judas, conflicted.  He knows Jesus is right, but wants to appease the Pharisees, too.  He wants to have it both ways.  He laughs nervously and then stops abruptly when he gets a "look" from one of them.  And Jesus, just keeps writing.  So cool.

What was He writing?  Only He and those Pharisees know.  But whatever it was, it was enough to make them so uncomfortable in their own temple that they simply walk away and leave the teaching to Him. Maybe it was their sins - the ones no one could have known - unless of course, He was the Son of God.  Maybe He was writing the names of their children - signifying that anyone can make mistakes and what would they do if this woman was their own flesh and blood - I do suspect there were some double standard acitvities going on in that day, don't you?  What did He write?  We will know someday, but for now we can only speculate.

I've been thinking - what would Jesus be writing about me in the dirt today?  What would He be writing about you?  What would He say to you and me if we approached Him today with some petty issue or complaint in our hearts?  Can you imagine if He looked into our eyes and revealed to us who we really are and what we really look like?  The pharisees would have done well to sit down and learn some more - but they walked away.  Don't walk away.  Stay for awhile near Jesus today.  Ask Him to reveal the "real you".  Listen to His wisdom, follow His direction in your life and be made fully whole - no longer fragmented, torn.  Lay down judgemental attitudes.  Lay down opinions, doctrines - the stones that have accumulated around us and become walls.  

Free us, Lord.  Amen. 

Disclaimer:  The views or opinions expressed here by Simple Simon Ministries or any other contributor to this information are absolutely and necessarily the views or opinions of Simple Simon Ministries or the contributor!!!

"So get yourselves together. Shape up!
 You're a nation without a clue about what it wants.
Do it before you're blown away
 like leaves in a windstorm,
Before God's Judgment-anger
 sweeps down on you,
Before God's Judgment Day wrath
 descends with full force."  (Zephaniah 2:1-2, MSG)

I commit that these daily devotions will not become the SS version of GB...:)  But just occasionally, I may find it too much to bear to not air my thoughts on some cultural or political story or person of interest.  Today is just one of those occasions.

Rhonda shared with me last night that she had read on Fox News (for which I am seeking some support for an intervention with her...:)) that a firefighter in Pennsylvania had been suspended from his job without pay for refusing to move an American Flag decal from the front of his fire station locker.  The policy enforced by the Chester Fire Commissioner, states that personal items can only adorn the interior of the employee's locker. 

Interestingly, the policy has no real focus on the things you might first assume.  It's not intended to maintain uniformity in the physical appearance of the fire fighters' dressing area.  It's not designed to necessarily prevent a hostile work environment or protect the religious or political beliefs or ideologies of individual department employees.  The commissioner told local media that the policy was "the simplest way to avoid bickering among the staff."

Chester is about 224 miles from Shanksville, PA.  That's the location where United's terrorist hijacked Flight 93 crashed after terrorists were overtaken by passengers in order to save the lives of other Americans on the ground.  Those passengers, fire fighters, other emergency response personnel, and American people just like you and me were the heroes of that day in September of 2001.  In D.C., in New York City, around the country AND in Shanksville, PA.

I am glad that no representative or committee of the Colonial Congress felt like it might be too much of an infringement upon the rights, opinions or beliefs of others to create a new Flag, representative of a New Nation built upon the strongest of foundations - a belief in Almighty God and Liberty and the freedom to demonstrate that belief without the fear of punishment or ridicule or supsension without pay to avoid bickering!!! 

What have we become?  Zephaniah's message to Jerusalem in approximately 630 B.C. might as well have been written yesterday and the audience could have easily been the people of the United States of America. 

"Get yourselves together. Shape up!
 You're a nation without a clue about what it wants!!"

God, we pray that Your influence alone will reign supreme in our nation and our world.  You are high above the Heavens.  You are above all kingdoms - above all nations - above all of our wrong and deceitful ways.  Give us wisdom and strength to stand in a world of chaos.  Teach us to seize righteousness in the midst of evil and to hold on tight.  We await Your arrival, Jesus!  Until that day, we will bear witness to the cross and all the wonders You have performed in our lives.  We are those trees planted by the Water.  We will not be swayed.  We will not be moved.  Amen. 

"Therefore I love Your commandments more than [resplendent] gold, yes, more than [perfectly] refined gold." (Psalm 119:127 - AMP)

$1,054/ounce.  That's what gold bullion closed at on Friday.  And the value is increasing rapidly.  Some experts say it will reach $4,000 or higher in the next couple of years.  For those of you who understand investment strategies - THAT is a margin opportunity!

(Sideroad: I often wonder why limestone isn't "precious".  Why can't we just change things up and everyone would be wealthy.  What's the line from the song?  "If dirt were dollars, I wouldn't worry anymore."  I supposed God knew that if something like limestone were considered a precious material, we'd chip away at the world, pound by pound, and eventually it would disappear down to the core.)

Everybody loves gold.  We give it as gifts on special occasions.  We meticulously measure its purity.  The highest of athletic awards are formed in gold.  Treasure hunters and archeologists spend their entire careers and lives searching for trunks of gold at the bottom of the sea or for some priceless artifact of fame in some cave or tomb in a distant part of the world.  Our pursuit of gold is relentless and "Go For The Gold!" has become a common American household catch phrase.

Gold was valuable in the day of King David as well.  The world's most renowned historians are still trying to translate writings to determine the wealth of David's son, Solomon and for hundreds of years the search for Solomon's mines has been a focus for those treasure seekers I mentioned and the inspiration for movie characters like Indiana Jones.

David, a king of great fame, power and wealth, had access to all the gold he could ever need, but still he recognized that faithfulness and obedience to God far outweighed the value of the most precious metal known to man in his day.  Gold - for all its splendor - still is of little value when compared to the blessings and the mercies of God the Father.

With all of the things in life that the world deems "valuable" are we avoiding the distractions of earthly "treasures" and instead "building up treasures in Heaven"?  Are we seeking the rarest of treasures - eternal life.  Earthly gold will eventually cease to exist - the streets "like gold" that John describes in Revelation are eternal and "His Mercy endureth forever!"

No highest hill, no deepest sea

Could ever match the wondrous Grace

You offer me.

No star above, no wonder of the earth

Could ever write Your Words of wisdom

On my heart.

Amen.

The scripture on my heart this morning is 1 Peter, Chapter 1.  There are 1 million devotional topics that could be gleaned here, but instead of trying to add to it, let's let The Word from Peter just speak for itself today.  Let it become new to you like it did to me after reading it again - just like it was the first time I'd ever opened up The Bible!  Thanks, Pete!!

"I, Peter, am an apostle on assignment by Jesus, the Messiah, writing to exiles scattered to the four winds. Not one is missing, not one forgotten. God the Father has his eye on each of you, and has determined by the work of the Spirit to keep you obedient through the sacrifice of Jesus. May everything good from God be yours!

What a God we have! And how fortunate we are to have him, this Father of our Master Jesus! Because Jesus was raised from the dead, we've been given a brand-new life and have everything to live for, including a future in heaven—and the future starts now! God is keeping careful watch over us and the future. The Day is coming when you'll have it all—life healed and whole.

I know how great this makes you feel, even though you have to put up with every kind of aggravation in the meantime. Pure gold put in the fire comes out of it proved pure; genuine faith put through this suffering comes out proved genuine. When Jesus wraps this all up, it's your faith, not your gold, that God will have on display as evidence of his victory.

You never saw him, yet you love him. You still don't see him, yet you trust him—with laughter and singing. Because you kept on believing, you'll get what you're looking forward to: total salvation.

The prophets who told us this was coming asked a lot of questions about this gift of life God was preparing. The Messiah's Spirit let them in on some of it—that the Messiah would experience suffering, followed by glory. They clamored to know who and when. All they were told was that they were serving you, you who by orders from heaven have now heard for yourselves—through the Holy Spirit—the Message of those prophecies fulfilled. Do you realize how fortunate you are? Angels would have given anything to be in on this!

So roll up your sleeves, put your mind in gear, be totally ready to receive the gift that's coming when Jesus arrives. Don't lazily slip back into those old grooves of evil, doing just what you feel like doing. You didn't know any better then; you do now. As obedient children, let yourselves be pulled into a way of life shaped by God's life, a life energetic and blazing with holiness. God said, "I am holy; you be holy."

You call out to God for help and he helps—he's a good Father that way. But don't forget, he's also a responsible Father, and won't let you get by with sloppy living.

Your life is a journey you must travel with a deep consciousness of God. It cost God plenty to get you out of that dead-end, empty-headed life you grew up in. He paid with Christ's sacred blood, you know. He died like an unblemished, sacrificial lamb. And this was no afterthought. Even though it has only lately—at the end of the ages—become public knowledge, God always knew he was going to do this for you. It's because of this sacrificed Messiah, whom God then raised from the dead and glorified, that you trust God, that you know you have a future in God.

Now that you've cleaned up your lives by following the truth, love one another as if your lives depended on it. Your new life is not like your old life. Your old birth came from mortal sperm; your new birth comes from God's living Word. Just think: a life conceived by God himself! That's why the prophet said,

 The old life is a grass life,
  its beauty as short-lived as wildflowers;
 Grass dries up, flowers droop,
  God's Word goes on and on forever.
This is the Word that conceived the new life in you."  (1 Peter 1 - MSG) 

Many of us spend our lives trying to have the latest, the greatest, the best.  For some of us, it is simply to prove ourselves in a materialistic world--to prove our worth to others.  If that's you, I urge you to think of the temporary nature of our time on Earth.  The Bible calls that time a blink of an eye.  When we stand before our Creator, what will He think about what we have accumulated on Earth?  Will He be pleased that our clothes were name brand or that our car was luxury class?  Of course not!  Will some of us feel sorry that we spent so much time focusing on those things instead of on what was really important?  Possibly.

Psalms 49:12 (NIV) says, "But man, despite his riches, does not endure; he is like the beasts that perish."  While wealth is coveted here on Earth, and while the rich man often seems to prevail in a money-driven world, we all, regardless of wealth or social status, will stand before the same God to account for our actions.  Will he be pleased that the pursuit of or the display of money did not drive your actions?  Will he pleased that, instead, his instructions through a living Bible drove you to action?  Will he be pleased that instead of trying to amass things in this temporal place you invested in the eternal? 

Not scripture but nonetheless noteworthy, Don Henley said it like this in a popular song, "You spend your whole life just piling up there.  You've got stacks and stacks and stacks.  When Gabriel comes and taps you on the shoulder, you don't see no hearses with luggage racks."  Although we can all probably quote a dozen more ways to say, "You can't take it with you," do we really live like we believe it?  Do we really believe that what we can take with us into eternity are the accomplishments we have made for the Kingdom of our living God?  

The last two lines of Anne Bradstreet's poem, "Upon the Burning of our House" form a couplet that reads, "The world no longer let me love.  My hope and treasure lies above."  Early in the poem she describes her horror as she watches her things disappear in flames.  Then, she chastises herself for worrying about the loss of tangible items, because she quickly realizes their unimportance in light of the bigger picture.  She expresses her belief that her true wealth abides in heaven, so what she has accumulated on Earth pales in comparison to those heavenly treasures.  Where do your treasures abide?  

Lord, forgive me for falling prey to the pressures of a materialistic world.  Your Holy Word instructs us to be in the world but not of it.  Give me the strength to overcome the tendency to try to impress people, and give me the unceasing passion to please You and to truly internalize the truth that Yours is the only opinion that truly matters.  Amen.   

"Life is like a box of chocolates; you never know what you're gonna get," are the famous words of fictional character, Forrest Gump.  We've heard it quoted, seen the t-shirts, and read the bumper stickers.  While it is catchy, and while Forrest Gump has become a pop culture icon, those words don't exactly ring true for the believer.  If you put your faith in a living God, you don't have to shoot blindly in the dark, hoping for the best.

The Bible says in I Samuel 2:6 (NIV):  "He protectively cares for his faithful friends, step by step, but leaves the wicked to stumble in the dark. No one makes it in this life by sheer muscle!"  What that means to me is that I don't have to choose any piece of chocolate in the box; God has already carefully chosen each of them for me!  If I put my faith and trust in him, he will lead me, step by step or piece by piece, if you will.

God, help me to give it all to you, the author of my life story.  I know that without you, I am lost, and my life is like a ship tossed about at sea.  With you, I have direction and purpose.  Give me the wisdom and the willingness to relinquish control so that my life is meaningful and purpose-driven and not like the wicked stumbling in the dark.  Amen.

If you can, read 2 Samuel, Chapter 6 before you go any further.

I was in a hurry to get home.  I had been traveling all week, Reid Elizabeth had just been released from the hospital, Trey had just finished a marching band competition out of town and I just wanted us to all be at home together for the first time in 8 days!!  William had traveled "shotgun" with me to the band competition and I needed to exchange some jeans we had bought for him.  We stopped at the shopping center and went in so he could try on some different sizes.

We check the exchange jeans at the Customer Service desk and move quickly toward the Kids' Jeans section of the store.  We find a couple of different sizes and I send him to the fitting room to try them on.  The fitting rooms have only partial doors.  There is an approximately 12 inch gap at the bottom of the door - just wide enough for you to see the feet of the person in the fitting room.  I'm looking for some other sizes when I happen to glance over to check on William's progress.  His jogging suit pants and shoes are lying on the floor, but he isn't trying on the new jeans.  He's dancing!  There is an "oldies" song playing on the intercom system and he can't resist the urge to dance.  He has no idea anyone can see his feet!

I stop what I am doing and just stand there laughing - crying.  I watch his young feet moving to the beat of the music.  I can tell he is watching himself in the mirror - thoroughly amusing himself.  He is happy.  I am happy.  He is dancing - without a care in the world.

In 2 Samuel 6, David is dancing.  He is dancing before God and before the the people of Israel.  He is celebrating all that God has done in his life and his kingdom.  He has had great victories over his enemies.  He has known love.  He has been chosen to serve the Living God.  God has prospered him - spared his life on many occasions.  He is in a covenant relationship with the Creator of the Universe.  David had reason to dance!  He didn't care what anyone thought of him for it either - not Michal (his wife and daughter of Saul), not the armies of Israel or the people.  His dancing was "before the Lord".  It was pure joy - laughter, singing - a celebration.  And it was worship.  It was David - happy beyond imagination - filled with the Spirit of God - dancing before the Lord with reckless abandon.

When is the last time you danced before the Lord?  Maybe I should pose a different question for some....have you ever danced before the Lord?  Has He done anything for you that is cause for celebration??  Of course He has!!  Everything good in our lives comes from Him!  He is worthy of our extravagant praise - our highest level of abandon!!  We need to dance before the Lord - worshipping Him with that same reckless abandon with which David danced!!  He has broken the shackles off of our feet!  He has forgiven our many sins!  We are free from the bondage of death and the grave!  We have the promise of eternity with Him in PARADISE!  DANCE, SONS AND DAUGHTERS OF THE LIVING GOD!!!!  DANCE!!!!

"And it came to pass, when all the people had completely crossed over the Jordan, that the LORD spoke to Joshua, saying: Take for yourselves twelve men from the people, one man from every tribe, and command them, saying, ‘Take for yourselves twelve stones from here, out of the midst of the Jordan, from the place where the priests’ feet stood firm. You shall carry them over with you and leave them in the lodging place where you lodge tonight.'"  (Joshua 4:1-3, NKJV)

Do you have a list of dream jobs?  Professional Fisherman, Bakery Owner, Philanthropist, Writer, Stay-at-home Mother, Pro Athlete, Professional Musician, Missionary, College Professor, Field Tester for Outdoor Gear, Meteorologist, Model, Astronaut? 

Me?  First love - hands down - ministering with my family, but "jobs"?  One of two things - Biblical Archeologist or Nursery/Landscape Center owner.  For those of you that know me, the latter is no surprise.  But Biblical Archeology??  Where did that come from?  Well, I love uncovering layers of connection to our past as a culture and as a race.  I have walked through freshly plowed farm fields near rivers and creeks and found knife and arrow points that could be up to 10,000 years old.  A totally euphoric experience for me!!  I immediately begin to think about the individual that touched that artifact "just before" I did.  There is a connection established.  He or she had no idea that I would find that piece of flint thousands of years later.  What was on their mind?  Who were they?  Where did they come from?  Were they a parent?  Who were their friends?  Who were their enemies?  The whole concept is totaly fascinating to me.

The Biblical Archeology dream job stems from many of the same drivers.  Combine the passion for past cultures with a heart for God and the prospect of uncovering artifacts that build up the Faith for the world and physically substantiate Biblical stories of the Patriarchs and the New Testament Church and you've got yourself a dream job!! 

I've seen photos and read stories of potential Noah's Ark finds, chariot wheels at the bottom of the Red Sea at the site where the Children of Israel are believed to have crossed on dry land escaping death at the hands of the Egyptian army, pictures of the 12 stone altar Joshua and the tribal leaders laid after having crossed the Jordan on dry ground and the scorched top of Mt. Sinai where Moses received the Ten Commandments!  What great physical evidence to support the Truth of the Word that you and I know in our hearts already!  I get so excited!  Can you tell?

Earth to Michael.  What's my point?  The Patriarchs - the Fathers and Mothers of our Faith that we read about in the Bible, left us a heritage.  They built momuments to honor God and to demonstrate their recognition of His Awesome Power and Mighty Miracles.  While these were physical structures, they play an important role in building up our faith.  More important are the acts of faith that they performed.  When things got tough, the tough turned to God for help.  He stretched out His hand and delivered them.  When victories were won and miracles occurred, they celebrated God's Mercy and His Faithfulness to the generations of their time and those to come.

What momumental faith will you and I leave behind for the generations that will come behind us?  What acts of faith will they read about?  What miracles that happen in our lives will be chronicled in order to build up their faith and sustain their trust in God through their victories and their losses?  If the Lord's return is in 1,000 years or 10,000 years, what connection will someone make with you or me because they discover some record of our lives of faith and trust in God and His Son, Our Deliverer?  Will our record leave no doubt as to how passionate we were in our pursuit of Righteousness?  Will they see our "12 Stones"?

Let's commit together today to leave a legacy and a heritage of Faith that "neither rust nor moth" can destroy.  Record the miracles that happen in your life.  Keep an actual spiritual scrapbook!  Give thanks to God for the wonders He performs in our lives.  Build altars to commemorate His Great works in your life!  And most importantly, pass on to your children and their children the importance of loving and serving God the Father and sharing the Good News of The Ultimate Sacrifice - His Son - Who died on the Cross for the forgiveness of the sins of all the world.  Let's leave our mark.  Let's make a difference.  Amen!

"Our inner selves wait [earnestly] for the Lord; He is our Help and our Shield. For in Him does our heart rejoice, because we have trusted (relied on and been confident) in His holy name. Let Your mercy and loving-kindness, O Lord, be upon us, in proportion to our waiting and hoping for You." (Psalm 33:20-22 - AMP)

David did some terrible things.  So....why is it again that God labeled David "a man after God's own heart"???  Seems crazy, doesn't it?  Maybe not so much.

You see, David recognized the complete source of his strength and his hope.  He weathered some storms with that in mind, huh?  In his youth - lions, tigers and bears (oh my....i couldn't resist).  As a young man - Goliath.  As a member of the king's court - assassination.  As a king - war, lust, murder, grief and pain. 

In all of life's trials and troubles (and they do come), David stayed his mind and his heart ultimately on God.  David recognized God's unfailing love for His creation.  You could say he took terrible advantage of God's grace and mercy, but only if you forget all the mistakes you and I have made.  David was the weakest and strongest of men.  He is representation of the human spirit in rare form - just like you and me.  David made mistakes just like many kings before him, so what was different about him?  The secret to David's success was no secret at all.  He wrote volumes and volumes of publicly performed music that spoke of the unfailing Love and the great mercy of God the Father.  His writings spoke of the awfulness of man and the greatness of God.  He sang of his demise and God's rescuing arms.  He wrote of victory in battle - both on and off the battlefield.  He grieved and penned, "This is my comfort in my affliction, For Your word has given me life." (Psalm 119:50 - NKJV)

Today, whatever mountain top or valley you traverse, whatever terrible and dark secrets your past (or present) may hold, there is hope.  Stay your heart and mind on the Source of all strength - Your Deliverer, The Rock of Ages.  While life gets at us and the world about us is in turmoil and full of confusion, remember that "there is no shadow of turning with Thee.  Thou changest not, thy compassions they fail not, Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!!"

1989.  That's the year the movie "Dead Poet Society" was released.  It didn't recieve great reviews, but I loved it.  It spoke to individualism, following your passions and I liked poetry - there was some of that in it, too.  The movie ended tragically, with one of the main character students taking his own life as a last desperate attempt at convincing his father that he really is in control of his own destiny.  As I remember, I wrote a poem that night.  I really liked that movie.

The central driving theme was verbalized as Robin Williams, playing the part of an eccentric prep school literature professor, teaches his students about the meaning of the phrase from Horace's Odes Book I - "carpe diem".  Translated - "sieze the day".

Horace lived in an interesting time.  He died in 8 B.C., near the time of Christ and certainly during the period of Roman occupation of Judea.  Paul, a Roman citizen born in 10 A.D., would have certainly read Greek poetry as a part of his education.  Could Paul have been quoting Horace when he wrote the following instructions to the church at Ephesus?  "See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil." (Ephesians 5:15-16, NKJV).  Paul's edict to the church here?  Carpe diem!  He is telling the Church - "Don't mess around letting grass grow under your feet.  Be on the move for the Kingdom."  The Message translation says, "make the most of every opportunity."

The secular world sure subscribes to this notion, huh?  Buy low, sell high.  Refinance now.  Don't wait until they're gone!  While supplies last.  Offer good this weekend only!  Hostile takeovers.  Timely acquistions.  Live Strong.  Win now.

What if the Church, the Body of Christ today, were driven as hard to "make the most of every opportunity?"  What if we were to really focus on preparing for Christ's return just like the bride focuses on preparing for the day she will be joined to the groom?  No detail left unconsidered.  No expense spared.  Color coordinated, perfectly timed, places everyone....and music......

What if we really siezed the day?  Can you imagine the impact we could have on the world in that "day"?  What's stopping us?  Pride, conformity, opinion, our reputation?  Jesus warned us against allowing these things to interfere with the mission He gave us.  "If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first." (John 15:18, NIV)  We need to put aside what others think about us and move quickly toward concern for how pleased God is with our fulfillment of His purpose in our lives.

Today, commit to not let another single "Kingdom-idle" moment pass in your life.  Show love to those around you.  Reach out to those in need.  Lay healing hands on the sick and speak life to the brokenhearted.  Fan the flames of Holy Spirit fire.  Look for any opening to talk to others about the love of Jesus and what it means to your life.  Share the Good News that He is alive and is waiting to become Lord of all hearts - yes, even that one.  Get up.  Get out.  Get going.  Time's a'wastin'.  Carpe diem!   Sieze this day!  

""This is to be your regular, daily Whole-Burnt-Offering before God, generation after generation, sacrificed at the entrance of the Tent of Meeting. That's where I'll meet you; that's where I'll speak with you..." (Exodus 29:42 - MSG)

I can smell it as I write.  The smoke of the campfires, breakfast cooking, the morning dew.  I hear sheep and cattle bleeting and bellowing above the noise of children laughing as they return from the river with water skins overflowing for morning washing.  I hear the ringing of the blacksmith's strike on the iron and the pounding of the carpenter's hammer - wood on wood.  Babies crying, women chatting and men calling to one another, "!בוקר טוב"..."Mah Shlom'chem!"  I see the ever-presence of God, The Father - Jehovah, Yahweh hovering over the millions of his chosen people who are beginning a brand new day in the wilderness - en route to the inheritance promised them through Father Abraham's Holy Covenant - a "land dripping with milk and honey."

As I move toward the temple tents, I hear singing.  It is Aaron's voice, he is before the entrance to the Tent of Meeting, there is a sacrifical lamb waiting to fulfill his purpose.  The smells are intense, boiled ram, olive oil, blood, wine, incense and freshly baked bread.  Smoke fills the air and the presence of God is overwhleming - physical.  Aaron's sons kneel before the throne.  God's people are in perfect harmony with their God and God is visiting His people.

The morning and evening offerings, as described in Exodus 29, offer us some unique insight into a "day in the life" of Aaron and his sons, the Priests of the Tabernacle.  The ritual is full of detail and discipline.  It is a Holy time, intensely focused on Communion with the Father.  It is where He promises to meet His people.  It is where His people hear Him speak.

What is your morning ritual?  Is it filled with worship, the sweet offering of prayer, praise and His Word becoming new in our hearts and minds, preparing us for the purpose ahead?  Or is it screaming, "Hurry!!", "Are you done yet?", "Where are your shoes?", "Why don't you have your backpack?", or my favorite - "GET IN THE CAR!!!!"

I'm sure most of us would have to agree that the latter describes most of our mornings.  The Bible encourages us - "Early will I seek Thee."  Like the Isralelites, we need to begin our mornings in a place where God can "meet us and speak to us".  Find time to be obedient and disciplined in the searching of His Word and His heart - His purpose for your life and direction for the day.  Let the ssweet incense of your praise rise before His Throne.  Let His presence fill the room and fill your life.  Be still and know...... 

"Listen. What do you make of this? A farmer planted seed. As he scattered the seed, some of it fell on the road and birds ate it. Some fell in the gravel; it sprouted quickly but didn't put down roots, so when the sun came up it withered just as quickly. Some fell in the weeds; as it came up, it was strangled among the weeds and nothing came of it. Some fell on good earth and came up with a flourish, producing a harvest exceeding his wildest dreams." (Mark 4:3-8, MSG)

In the 21st Century King James Version, that last sentence reads like this:  "And other fell on good ground; and it yielded fruit that sprang up and increased."

Good ground.  What kind of ground were you planted in?  What kind of environment did you grow up in?  Fortunately, I don't have any war stories about that.  I have been blessed.  I grew up in a pastor's home where the concept of Christ's love was taught and demonstrated - where service to the Church and ministering to others was a part of the fiber of our lives. 

Not everyone is so fortunate.  What was your childhood environment like?  Was it good ground or was it less than ideal?  Maybe your home wasn't a Christian home.  Maybe your parents divorced.  Maybe a parent was taken away prematurely.  Maybe you were an only child and relationships are challenging for you.  Maybe you were abused, neglected or otherwise subjected to anything but good ground.  Now what? 

Interestingly, neither scenario guarantees a life filled with all good things - a life that "yields fruit that springs up and increases..."  The foundation is different, but we are individuals with choices and sinful natures until we find the Lord and our purpose in Him.  I was fortunate enough to fall on good ground, but I've made a lot of mistakes and taken alot of missteps.  I knew right from wrong, but chose wrong at differenet times in my life.

Others fall on "not so good ground" and live lives full of success, wise choices and joy in the Lord.  So what can we learn from that?  Well, the ground we fall on can make a difference, but perhaps the most important thing in life is this - as individuals, what kind of ground do we become? 

The power of Christ to change our lives is beyond my ability to express it.  Generational curses can be broken - you can prepare better ground for your children than the environment or circumstances you may have been exposed or subjected to.  Wounds can be healed - Jesus came to heal the sick and to bind up the brokenhearted.  Forgiveness is possible - even in the most painful of experiences, grace abounds.  You can become good ground, produce fruit and change the world - one seed at a time.

Lord, make us good ground!  Amen!

"Listen. What do you make of this? A farmer planted seed. As he scattered the seed, some of it fell on the road and birds ate it. Some fell in the gravel; it sprouted quickly but didn't put down roots, so when the sun came up it withered just as quickly. Some fell in the weeds; as it came up, it was strangled among the weeds and nothing came of it. Some fell on good earth and came up with a flourish, producing a harvest exceeding his wildest dreams." (Mark 4:3-8, MSG)

I hate weeds.  And I hate all the chemicals and compounds that claim they can get rid of them with any level of permanency for any length of time.  My arch enemy - crabgrass.  Last weekend, I spent over an hour dealing with one patch of crabgrass in my landscaping (talk about a root system...wait, that was yesterday...:)).  Seriously, this stuff is tough to get rid of.  You can cut it, pull it, spray it - and it just keeps coming back.  Very frustrating.  I hate weeds.

Life's garden is full of weeds.  They can pop up anywhere - even in the most unlikely places.  The weeds of life are the people, the addictions, the situations, the obsessions, the possessions and anything else that might keep us from fulfilling the beautiful plan God intends for our lives.  These things overtake us.  The job becomes more important than your family.  That person begins to take more of your time and get more of your attention than your spouse.  That addiction becomes your reason for getting out of the bed in the morning (or not).  These are the things that can choke the life right out of us.  They suck up all of our energy, our time and our ability to reason - to think clearly, rationally.  Soon we find ourselves dying from lack of nourishment.  We replace the truly important things in life with imposters - half truths.  We are overcome and we eventually die, surrendering forever to the weeds the beautiful flower that could have been.

There is a remedy.  Jesus, the Master Vinedresser knows alot about weeds.  As a matter of fact, the Word tells us that He dealt with every possible weed you can encounter on this path we call life.  And He won the ultimate vicotry in the midst of them.  The combination of His love for us and our willingness to serve is a potent concoction!  The ultimate form of weedkiller.  If we will immerse ourselves in Him - through study of the Word, prayer and relationship - He will protect us from the ever-pressing threat of being overtaken by the weeds that spring up as we move through life.

Father, we pray that you will give us the wisdom, strength and courage to allow you to prune what needs to be pruned from our lives.  Feel free to dig around us and remove those things that would distract us from the Truth in You.  Pull up by the roots any situation or stuff that might threaten the abundant Life that is ours by Your design.  Keep us from the weeds!  Amen!

"Listen. What do you make of this? A farmer planted seed. As he scattered the seed, some of it fell on the road and birds ate it. Some fell in the gravel; it sprouted quickly but didn't put down roots, so when the sun came up it withered just as quickly. Some fell in the weeds; as it came up, it was strangled among the weeds and nothing came of it. Some fell on good earth and came up with a flourish, producing a harvest exceeding his wildest dreams." (Mark 4:3-8 - MSG)

Roots.  Roots are important.  Roots are multipurpose components in the life of a plant.  They draw water.  Without water, photosynthesis (the process by which plants create their own food) is impossible.  Roots also hold the plant firmly in the ground and protect its position from the elements above - rain, heavy wind - those forces that might wash the plant away.  Roots are important.

Jesus speaks the parable recorded above to a large crowd of people.  He doesn't fully explain the meaning until later when he is alone with his disciples.  One of the 12 asks Jesus what the parable means.  He explains today's focus passage like this, "And some are like the seed that lands in the gravel. When they first hear the Word, they respond with great enthusiasm. But there is such shallow soil of character that when the emotions wear off and some difficulty arrives, there is nothing to show for it." (Mark 4:16-17 - MSG).

Jesus is talking to a group of people who will be responsible for carrying out the greatest discipling conquest that had been or ever would be carried out on Earth.  Jesus knew the importance of discipleship - true, deep, knowledgeable, faithful, unconditional and unending commitment to the only cause worthy of such intense service and sacrifice. 

Christianity is not something we do - it is something we become.  How many times do we see individuals caught up in the emotion of the moment (during an alter call, following a tragic or traumatic event, etc.) make a desicion to follow Christ?  When the emotion fades or the tragedy is forgotten, they return to their previous life and ways.  All too often.  If every convert in the history of the last 2000 years had put down deep roots, how different would the world be today?  If you and I had deeper roots, how much more impact could we have on the world around us every day?

How do we hold on to that fire?  It is possible and here are some ways to ensure our flame of enthusiasm and our desire for relationship with the Father are not extinguished:

• The Word.  Get in it and stay in it.  Read it from cover to cover as often as you possibly can.  It will change you in ways you never knew you could be changed.  It will come to life for you.  I love the pledge to the Bible.  "I will hide It's words in my heart, that I might not sin against You." 
• Prayer.  If my wife and I only spoke to one another in times of crisis or need, how long would that last?  Communication is so important in our earthly relationships and evermore critical to our relationship with the Father.  We need to be in communion with him constantly.  "Pray without ceasing."  Don't just talk - listen.  He will guide and direct your path and keep you out of "the gravel".
• Gather.  Connect to a Spirit-filled, solidly grounded church.  I heard someone say recently, "Don't go to the church of your choice.  Go to the church God chooses for you."  That makes a lot of sense.  Plug into the Body of Christ.  Surround yourself with believers who know what it means to be a disciple, who are deeply rooted in the study of The Word, who are committed to a disciplined and joy-filled prayer life and who understand the importance of relationship in maintaining accountability and encouragement for our spiritual journey here on earth.

Get some roots! 

In Mark 4, Jesus tells a story to his newly called disciples and a huge crowd of people that have gathered to listen to him speak.  We know it as the "Parable of the Sower".

Jesus said, "Listen. What do you make of this? A farmer planted seed. As he scattered the seed, some of it fell on the road and birds ate it. Some fell in the gravel; it sprouted quickly but didn't put down roots, so when the sun came up it withered just as quickly. Some fell in the weeds; as it came up, it was strangled among the weeds and nothing came of it. Some fell on good earth and came up with a flourish, producing a harvest exceeding his wildest dreams." (Mark 4:3-8 - MSG)

In the first planting scenario, we read that the seed scattered by the farmer lands on the road.  What does the road represent?  Life.  Whether the road is meant to represent a specific phase in life (perhaps Jesus is speaking of youth here) or the whole of it - I believe it represents our journey.  On life's path, there are many distractions that draw us away from fulfilling the purpose for which we have been created.  Seed was created with a singular purpose - to perpetuate life.  Like the seed, you and I were created with a singular purpose - relationship with God.

The lifecycle of the flowering seed is basically this:  pollination, germination, seed formation (nourishment and growth occur here) and then fruit!  That's the perfect plan!  Unfortunately, not all seed gets to experience every stage depending upon the circumstances they encounter through their developmental stages.  Sound familiar?  God forms us, convicts us, makes His Word and His Spirit available to us to nurture us and He expects us to bear fruit!!  Again, unfortunately, not all of us have that perfect run at life. 

As human beings, we know that we are significantly impacted by the environment around us.  The enemy is out there on the road "seeking whom he may devour" he and his companion group of fallen angels are about the business of eating us up before we can become the beautiful thing that God intends us to be.  Popularity, wealth, power, knowledge, career, politics, sports, entertainment, education and a million other distractions would draw you and I away from relationship with our Creator.  The list is seemingly impossible to overcome.  Not all of them are horrific things in life.  Many of them can be very beneficial when applied in appropriate proportion.  But we tend to move to extremes.  We allow these things to become our primary focus and we find our time, our energy and our lives gobbled up and rendered useless in our purpose.  Oh, many people talk about making changes - simplifying, downsizing, spending more time with family, focusing more on the "important things in life", but most of us continue down life's path - waiting for the birds to finish us off.  Who was it that said, "What a tragedy to come to the end of life realizing you have never really lived?"

Here's the good news - you and I aren't seeds!  We are mobile!  We can, with the help of the power of the Holy Spirit change our circumstances!  We can overcome our past!  You are not subject to being devoured.  You belong to the Great Farmer!!  It will not be easy.  The song says, "breaking up is hard to do".  Leaving all of our stuff - our things, our schedules, our bad habits - easier said than done.  But it is possible if we will allow Him to move in us and through us.  Paul said, "I die daily".  I heard a story of a young man who made a pilgrimage to the home of Martin Luther.  The young man knocked on the door and Luther himself opened it.  The young man asked, "Is this were Martin Luther lives?", to which Luther replied, "No.  He's dead.  Christ lives here."

As seed in the hands of a loving and nurturing Father, you and I have the opportunity to overcome all of lifes fiery darts.  In Him, we can bear fruit.  We can become what He created us to be.

"But God told Samuel, "Looks aren't everything. Don't be impressed with his looks and stature. I've already eliminated him. God judges persons differently than humans do. Men and women look at the face; God looks into the heart." (1 Samuel 16:7 - MSG)

I chased the sunset for nearly 3 hours last night.  Beautiful.  The flight encountered mostly clear weather, but there are always a few clouds to look down at as well.  Sometimes more than others, but always a few.

I've flown in many different kinds of weather.  Clear.  Rain. Snow.  Lightning - even more spectacular from above.  Calm.  Slight winds.  Heavy winds.  Blizzards.  You name it, I've seen it from the air.

Here's one thing I've noticed.  Regardless of the conditions on the ground or the appearance of the clouds from below, they always look the same from above.  It doesn't matter if it is a terrible thunderstorm, the blizzard I flew over near the Rockies, or just some scattered clouds in the sky.  The view from the ground can vary, but the tops of the clouds are always a beautiful, pillowy, clean and bright white illuminated by either the light of the sun or the moon.  Always.  From the earth, things can look pretty terrible, but from a position above the storm, the weather's always perfect.

I thank God that He is above the storms we encounter in life.  While we look at people and situations with varied appearance and pass judgement or form opinions and perceptions, He sees the real inner beauty of the person and their potential.  In our darkest hours, while we are sometimes weighted down with guilt, shame and depression - He is looking down from His position above and He sees His beautiful and beloved creation - shining in the Light of the Son.

Father, give us "tops of the clouds" perspective.  Teach us, as you taught Samuel to see the inner most part of people and situations.  Teach us to love unconditionally.  Teach us to recognize the potential in others.  Teach us to pursue Your plan for our lives and encourage others to chase after the same.  Thank You for looking down on us with Love and compassion.  Thank You for loving us in the storm and in the calm.  You are God.  You are positioned high above the heavens!! 

Remember Mary, Lazarus' sister?  Remember her annointing Jesus' feet with oil in her home in Bethany?  What a great story!

Remember Martha?  The Bible announces her as "Mary and her sister Martha."

Songs are written about Mary.  We all wish we had been there to smell the fragrance of the oils in that room.  We all admire Mary's worshipful attitude, her eagerness to learn more about the Kingdom of God and to hear Jesus speak of redemption and love and sacrifice.

In contrast, most of the things you hear about Martha point to the possibility that she was a party pooper (like the aliteration there?? :)).  Remember, Martha complained when Mary sat at Jesus' feet the first time.  She was busy trying to make dinner and Mary wasn't helping.  She even tried to get Jesus to make Mary get up and get to work, but we know what His response to that was!

Martha was also the one that met Jesus as he entered Bethany after her brother Lazarus had died.  She had sent word to Jesus that Lazarus was sick, but the Lord tarried and her brother had died as a result.  She heard Jesus was coming into town and went straight for Him - mourners in tow, wailing, wearing sackcloth covered in ashes.  Martha let Jesus have it with "both barrels".  "If You'd have gotten here earlier, this wouldn't have happened.  Where have You been?", Martha said.  I can almost see Jesus, sheepishly awaiting the tongue lashing from the woman.  He didn't move from that spot for awhile, so the encounter must have had a significant impact on Him. 

But there's more.  Martha finally gave up her rant and offered up her true heart's cry to Jesus.  She said, "I know whatever You ask God, He will give You." (John 11:22 - MSG).  Martha wasn't a party pooper.  She was a straight shooter, that's for sure, but she was far more than that.  There are some things you should know about Martha:

• Martha owned the house!  It was Martha who invited The Master to her home and it was Martha that introduced Jesus to her younger siblings Lazarus and Mary.  She was quite the hostess!  To her dinner parties she invited all the town VIP's, the disciples, her brother and sister, maybe even others.  All this she did to honor the presence of Jesus in their city.  She was the reason they knew Jesus personally!!
• Martha was a hard worker.  While others listened to Jesus teaching, she was hard at work preparing the meal in the kitchen.  It would generally have been the responsibility of the younger sister to manage the preparation of the meal and to do other household chores in that society.  Martha steps up and allows her sister to spend time worshipping at the feet of Messiah.
• Martha was a quick learner.  Later, in John 12, we read, "and Martha served."  We don't hear about her complaining this time.  Her faith earlier following the death of her brother strengthened her relationship with Jesus and she continues to serve with a joyful heart.  It is also in John 12 that we read the story of Mary annointing Jesus' feet.  While others complained (especially Judas) about the wasted expense, Martha didn't say a word.  She had been changed.

All of us have our calling and our role in the life of the Church.  There is plenty of room in the Body of Christ for people like Mary, Lazarus and yes, even Martha.  The Church needs worshippers and workers.  You may be one or the other.  You may be both.  Regardless, don't be too quick to form your opinions regarding individual character of folks in your flock.  Own the house!  Work hard!  Learn quickly when the Spirit is trying to teach you more about service and its importance in the advancement of the Kingdom!

Okay, let me preface today's thought with a confession.  I am a terrible personal witness.  If advancing the Kingdom depended upon my faithfulness and persistence in pursuing souls one on one, the world would die and spend eternity in hell. There.  I confessed it.

There will be at least two types of responses from people who read this today (by the way, not just members have access - so I may not be talking to you!).  First, there will be those that will readily identify with my confession, see it in their own lives and join me in working toward positive spiritual change in their lives.  Secondly, there will be those folks who, at first glance, begin to process the advice they could give me on how I can become a better witness.  I recognize the extreme value of both of those responses, and while I covet your prayers and your advice for my situation (sincerely), let's be careful to focus on our own pattern of personal witnessing today and start there.  I hope all will receive that in the manner intended and come back tomorrow to read again!!

Whew!  Okay, now....

Before you read the rest of this devotional, read the 8th Chapter of Acts.........

Do you feel like I did when I read that this morning?  Now do you understand why I'm so down on myself for not being more aware of the people around me who need Jesus and for not being a bolder witness for Christ??  I'm comparing myself to some pretty amazing folks!! 

Acts Chapter 8 comes in the wake of our reading of the story of Stephen's martyrdom.  Saul unleashes hell on the New Church and the response of the apostles is to begin the first missions blitz in the history of the Church!  Here's what this passage revealed in me:

• The aposltes found themselves in danger because of Saul's anti-Church crusade so they split up and leveraged the opportunity to share the Good News with surrounding Gentile nations!
• They didn't pick easy targets either.  Philip (remember this guy?) went "down to a Samaritan city" that was pretty much the stronghold of a soothsayer (he'd be a modern day wicken practitioner) and turned it upside down for the cause of Christ.  The whole place, including ultimately "Simon the Wizard", received the full Power of the Holy Spirit in their lives and their community.
• Peter and John heard what was happening in Samaria and came down to get in on the action!  These guys started a full blown Samaritan Revival on the heels of one of the Saints being put to death for his belief in Jesus as the Messiah!!
• Philip - now so plugged into the direction of the Spirit, gets a visit from an Angel that tells him to walk down a certain road.  He gets there and the Spirit urges him to chase down a moving chariot and jump in!  And he does it!!  As a result, we have the beautiful conversion story of the Ethipoian eunuch!!

Let's just take the last example for a minute (and I'm really beginning to love Philip!!).  What would you and I do if one of our dear friends in our churches had just been killed for speaking of their faith to others?  I know...I'd start a daggone revivial and when an angel came and told me to walk down to Times Square this afternoon and jump into the Ethipoian Ambassador's limousine motoracade, I'd just run along side and bang on the window, right?  Are you kidding me?  I'd be so well hidden, even an angel would have a tough time finding me!! 

Now does my confession make sense?  Believers, you and I have to do a couple of things and do them quickly:

• Recognize and sieze opportunities to share our Faith in Christ every day.  Be AWARE.  Pray that God will give you a "Spirit-sense" of the needs around you.  It's not just a fender bender - it's a chance to minister to people who are ready to receive!!  Maybe it IS your business when you see someone in tears, disraught over some concern or situation.  Sure the person beside you on the plane might rather sleep than chat - at least that's what the devil wants you to believe!!  Don't miss your opportunity to change lives through the Power of the Love of Christ!!  Let me also give you serious WARNING:  Use caution - the enemy will absolutely try to distract you (the Wizard's bribe is an example of this), but you be steadfast and stick to the mission like Peter.  You will be blessed.
• Be BOLD.  Philip could have chalked it up to that chariot going to fast for him to keep up.  Nope.  He ran alongside and jumped in!!  No way could this have been considered appropriate, but Philip knew it was more "inappropriate" for that Ethiopan eunuch to be separated from Jesus for eternity, so he moved past the ridiculous notion and he and the eunuch were swimming just a few miles down the road!!

Lord Jesus, I pray that the power of your awesome Holy Spirit will fill all who read these words today.  Create in us an irresistable urge to share your Message of Hope with everyone we come into contact with.  Strengthen our awareness of the needs around us all day every day and give us a boldness unmatched since the days of the Samaritan revival we read about this morning.  Move in Your Church NOW, in Jesus' Name!!  Amen 

"There were some Greeks in town who had come up to worship at the Feast. They approached Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee: "Sir, we want to see Jesus. Can you help us?" (John 12:20-21 - MSG)

What else can we learn about witnessing from Philip?

Philip didn't go it alone! 

John 12 goes on to read. "Philip went and told Andrew," (Verse 22).  Philip included Andrew in his plan to take these converts into the presence of "Emmanuel".  Do you think Philip may have been intimidated by the situation or just needed some help to fight through the crowd?  Maybe, but more likely, Philip knew two hearts were better than one and he called on a friend to help out.  Jesus' disciples knew there was strength in numbers and they had been trained accordingly. In the Gospel of Mark we read, "Jesus called the Twelve to him, and sent them out in pairs." (Mark 6:7 - MSG).  Sure, they might have posted bigger "numbers" if they had all been sent out seperately, but as we minister there is priceless wisdom in ensuring appropriate levels of accountability and adequate prayer support.  There is also immense value in simply having a spiritual partner whose knowledge and understanding we can lean on to compliment our own personalities and enhance our understanding of people and situations. 

Are you plugged into a group of believers that can help you be a more effective witness?  Are you accountable to your spouse, your pastor, your friends who have submitted to true Lordship in their lives?  Are you drawing upon the knowledge and discernment of others in your church, your Christian community and your family as you seek to fulfill your part of the Great Commission?  There is strength in numbers and value in the knowledge of those around you who love the Lord and are immersing themselves in His teachings and His Love for the world around us.  Philip could depend on Andrew to help him.  Who are you leaning on?  Are others able to lean on you?  Don't go it alone! 

Lord, You said, "where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there."  We need You!  We pray that you will surround us with Spirit-filled "on fire" family and friends that have a passion for seeing the lost be found, the sick healed and the broken hearted gathered up.  Let us also become the rock that others can lean on as they minister to a dark and dying world.  Amen!

"There were some Greeks in town who had come up to worship at the Feast. They approached Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee: "Sir, we want to see Jesus. Can you help us?" (John 12:20-21 - MSG)

Yesterday, we developed some context around Philip's personal relationship with Jesus and how that can relate to you and me today as we move in the Spirit to bear witness of our faith in Christ to those around us in our daily lives.  While Philip had a deep and personal relationship with Christ, there may have been more to their decision to approach Philip instead of any one of the many other disciples and followers near Jesus during that triumphal entry into Jerusalem.

Philip was approachable. 

Though the speculation surrounding why they approached Philip may vary from scholar to scholar, one thing is for sure - this group of foreign proselytes felt comfortable asking a major courtesy of Philip.  Allowing non Jewish folks to have contact with such a prominent (a gross understatement) figure as Jesus - a Rabbi and a teacher of teachers - would not really have been appropriate given the nature of the "event" occurring, and the Greeks knew that.  Putting aside their political correctness, something about Philip made them believe he could get them near the Master.  And they were right.

Are you approachable?  Do you exude a Spirit of joy, peace and love drawing folks toward the Cross?  Are people around you sometimes puzzled by your positive attitude?  Does your demeanor drive their curiousity as to how you can remain so calm, cool, collect and available to talk with them or listen to their needs even in the midst of a chaotic day at the office?  Can you take time away from your daily routine to answer your child's question about Jesus even though it may put you behind on the laundry or interrupt your favorite television program or newspaper reading?  Do non-believers look at you and recognize anything "peculiar" about you - something different or special?

Jesus was approachable.  The crowds pressed in.  Zaccheus climbed down out of a tree to get close to him.  He didn't keep office hours - Nicodemus came to him in the middle of the night to hear more about this being born again thing.  Jesus didn't feel interrupted or bothered that the woman touched the hem of His garment - she was a part of His purpose that day.  How are we responding to those "interruptions" that may be our purpose?

Father, cramp our style!!  Make us approachable and ready "in season and out of season" as Your word prescribes, so that we may always be ready to share Your Love with a lost and dying world!  Make us approachable!  Amen! 

"There were some Greeks in town who had come up to worship at the Feast. They approached Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee: "Sir, we want to see Jesus. Can you help us?" (John 12:20-21 - MSG)

The scene above takes place in the midst of a wild frenzy.  Christ's deity is being revealed and recognized by an enormous crowd of people as he enters Jerusalem.  The pharisees are bewildered and angry, the disciples are pushing back the throng surrounding the small burro Jesus was astride, and the noise level is deafening.  As this scenario unfolds, some Greeks "who had come up to worship at the Feast" approach Philip in an attempt to get some face time with Jesus.  Theologians aren't exactly sure why these Greek converts approach Philip.  Some suggest they heard his name called - Philip is a Greek name.  Others suggest it might have been the way he was dressed.  Maybe it was as simple as Philip was closest to them in the midst of the crowd.  Regardless, there are some important things to note about Philip that you and I can learn much from in the next few days.

1. Philip was near Jesus.  Philip had a personal relationship with the Messiah.  He had eaten with Him, camped with Him, carried manuscripts as they walked through the regions of Judea and Samaria, handed out the baskets of food at camp meetings and heard Jesus, preach, teach, confound and heal.  The Greeks recognized immediately, Philip's proximity and association with the Savior and they wanted what Philip had.  They wanted to know Jesus.

Philip was a real smart guy!!  We can learn much from his approach to witnessing.

Like Philip, you and I need to be sure that our relationship with Christ is rock solid.  I've heard it said that people can smell insincerity from 1000 miles away.  That's true.  Lip service - a life full of words, but no appropriate action to back them up - is worthless to the mission of advancing the Kingdom of God here in this life.  In your spirit, you know when someone is genuine and when they are "puffed up" and not being honest with your or even themselves.

As Christians, you and I need to be "prayed up" and ready at an instant - like Philip - to lead others to the Cross and to a saving knowledge of the Lord.  Do folks recognize your servant's heart like the Greeks recognized that Philip was in the service of Jesus?  Is your relationship with Him so evident in the things that you say and do that folks will want to seek your help in getting to know Him?

Seek the "Philip-type" relationship with Him today.  Let those who you come into contact with today and in the future have no doubt Who you are in love with!!

Stay tuned for "Lessons from a guy named Philip (2)!!! 

"When the Woman saw that the tree looked like good eating and realized what she would get out of it—she'd know everything!—she took and ate the fruit and then gave some to her husband, and he ate." (Genesis 3:6 - MSG)

Eve really messed things up, huh?  I mean, having babies hurts, we have to go through the hassle of picking out something to wear, I can't just eat off any tree (I have to own it or get permission - not to mention the trips to the grocery store that wouldn't have been necessary), we have to get a J.O.B., AND while MTV isn't interested in showing off my crib to their viewers, what if I lived in Eden with all those cool waters slides, hot tubs, etc.?!?!?!  Dangit, Eve!!!

You know, Eve always seems to get the bad wrap in that she wasn't just disobedient to God - she convinced Adam to sin too.  Think about the sequence of events here for a minute.  Satan tempts Eve, she eats.  Suddenly, she knows all this great stuff she didn't realize before and she just wants to share it with her companion.  Not so hard to understand.  And what about Adam?  Suddenly, Eve comes to him with all these new ideas and her new understanding and encourages Adam to eat.  She's not dead - just like the serpent promised.  We scoff at these two, but if you consider the circumstances and the fact that they were, indeed, human, it's not so strange that they might be easily tempted.

You know the old saying - "the worst thing about being deceived is you're deceived."  If the devil would just walk up and say, "Hey, Michael.  I'm the devil.  I'm evil.  I'm anti-God.  I want you to do something, but here are the advantages and disadvantages should you choose to do what I'm about to suggest."  If he went on to list the benefits and then talk about the terrible consequences, we'd all likely make the choice to remain obedient to God, right?  Too bad the devil doesn't work that way.  He's sneaky.  He's a liar and the master of all deceit.  He's up to no good.  He has a terrible end awaiting him and he doesn't want to go it alone.  He doesn't fight by the rules and he doesn't play fair.  He's just plain irritating and I hate him.

The Good News is that he has already been defeated.  He was defeated from the beginning.  The Word tells us that Christ was "slain from the foundation of the world."  Remember that God didn't find himself in a mess in Genesis 3.  Part of His love for us is demonstrated in that he doesn't force our obedience.  He just wants us to love Him enough to, as I tell my children, "do the right thing."  Simply because it's the right thing.  If we could just fully give ourselves to that philosophy, the devil would have an allout fit - and I'd love to see him throw a tantrum over your obedience to Our Maker!!  Tick the devil off today - do the right thing!!

Do you remember the 1980's Bonnie Tyler song, "I Need a Hero"?  Let me remind you:  "And he's gotta be strong, and he's gotta be fast, and he's gotta be fresh from the fight."  That song reflects our society's need for the archetypal dragonslayer--the brave and selfless hero who rushes in to rescue his people from the enemy.  We have evidence that Anglo Saxon bards, as early as the 5th century, sang of the fictitious Beowulf who didn't use a weapon against the murderous Grendel, because Grendel was weaponless.  What about current "heroes" like Superman, Spiderman, and Batman?  Why did the Anglo Saxons gather in their mead halls to listen to songs about Beowulf, and why do we rush to theaters to watch fictitious characters battle their on screen nemeses?

The heroes of any society reflect the values of that society.  The Anglo Saxon culture of war demanded bravery and steadfastness because of an ever-present threat of invasion.  Today, we have our own threats and enemies. Our fictional heroes, like Spiderman and Batman, provide a sense of hope that, despite present difficulties, there are those among us who are willing to selflessly stand in for us and to protect us from enemies.  You know where I'm
going with this . . .

We don't have to place our trust in fictional heroes.  We have the real thing!  Christ did, in fact, stand in for us and selflessly save us from a real enemy.  The Bible says in I Peter 5:8, "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour."  Because of Christ's sacrifice, the battle is won!  Our hero is truly victorious! 

"He's gotta be sure, and it's gotta be soon, and he's gotta be larger than life," the song says.  Sound like anyone you know?  If not, I highly recommend a personal relationship with the greatest hero of all time!  

I was driving along a very winding mountain road.  It was daytime and I could clearly see cars driving behind me on the treacherous road.  In my rearview mirror I caught a glimpse of a car veering dangerously over toward the edge.  There was no guardrail - no abutmnet.  As we entered a sharp curve, I glanced back to see the car plummett over the edge of a cliff seemingly thousands of feet above the valley floor.  The car crashed and tumbled, turned end over end, flipped several times and then came to rest on a ledge still several hundred feet from the bottom.  Much to my surprise the driver was still moving and seemed to be relatively unharmed, but I was frustrated that I could not reach them.

This is a bit of a different twist on the normal devotional track.  I struggled this morning with the leadership to share this dream.  It feels quirky, awkward and just plain uncomfortable, but if you're reading, know that this is absolutely a God thing that I am sharing this.  Without the Spirit's urging, this is not something I would normally share.

What does it mean?  Life's path is treacherous.  Each of us is making his or her own way following the lines, the signs and the landscape in the best way we understand.  Just like driving in the real world, we can take all the necessary precautions in our own approach, but we often have little control over those around us.  In life, you and I and others can veer wildly from the course that God intends for our lives.  We take chances, go faster and more wrecklessly than our spirits are designed.  And the results can be catastrophic.

Today, you or someone you know may have gotten too close to the edge.  They crash, they tumble.  They are falling, end over end, falling helplessly toward the bottom of life's canyon.  You want to help, but believe their condition may be beyond repair.  You are frustrated today because you feel you cannot reach them.

The Spirit is saying don't give up.  The situation is not too great for Him.  With His help, you can rescue the dying, the diseased, the addicted and the broken hearted.  No situation, no terrible incident, no unspeakable horror is too great for Him to correct.  The work has already been done.  Redemption has been completed.  Our Rescuer has come. 

I can remember my father preaching a sermon during which he quoted Alfred, Lord Tennyson as saying (roughly remembered). "My tailor is the only intelligent man around me.  He measures me anew each time I buy a suit of clothing.  All others are using the same measurements they've been using for years."

The past is a dangerous beast.  Others will sometimes not be able to move beyond it, but as Christians, we must think, speak and act differently than the world.  We have to move in the flow of Christ's Mercy and Forgiveness when dealing with 1) our own past and 2) we must overcome the temptation to continue holding on to the past mistakes of others, limiting our desire and opportunity to minister effectively to those around us.

In dealing with your own past, the Word tells us, "Now we look inside, and what we see is that anyone united with the Messiah gets a fresh start, is created new. The old life is gone; a new life burgeons! Look at it!" (2 Cor. 5:17 - MSG).  The Amplified Bible says it this way, "Therefore if any person is [ingrafted] in Christ (the Messiah) he is a new creation (a new creature altogether); the old [previous moral and spiritual condition] has passed away. Behold, the fresh and new has come!"  Relationship with Jesus changes everything.  While it doesn't erase your past, His Blood wipes clean your spiritual "record".  His Grace, The Word and seeking God for deliverance from your past is how you handle overcoming the pain and bitter memories often associated with those poor decisions we have made in our own "previous lives".

Dealing with our perception of others based upon their past should be a simple matter given all that we know you and I have in our "spiritual skeleton closet", right?  Wrong.  It is much easier and much more convenient to put our own past behind us!  We forgive ourselves pretty quickly as a general rule!  We are much less adept at covering the past mistakes of others as prescribed above - especially when those poor decisions had an impact on yours truly!  What does the word prescribe here? 

"Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you." (Colossians 3:13 MSG).

We must remember that the same Jesus Who bore our sins bore the sins of those around us and the same power of forgiveness is available to them!  Jesus died for you, but not just you.  His death on the cross was a "whosoever" sacrifice.  We must forgive or the Word goes on to tell us we can't be forgiven.

Think you can't live up to that?  You're right.  Our "physical man" is not capable of forgiveness in and of itself.  The same Power that rescues from our own past gives us the Power to forgive others.  If we have the mind of Christ, we cannot and will not condemn others, regardless of the terrible nature of the offense.  We must pass on His Grace freely - yes, even when someone has done something terrible to us. 

Lord, grant us the understanding of the depth and width of Your Streams of Mercy!  Heal our self-inflicted wounds and the wounds caused by others.  Give us the strength to allow those situations, those harsh words, those terrible acts of unkindness to be drenched in the Blood of Jesus.  May we become Love - a new creation - not like the world understands new - but reengineered, changed and forever Yours.  Amen!

"Jesus provided far more God-revealing signs than are written down in this book. These are written down so you will believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and in the act of believing, have real and eternal life in the way he personally revealed it." (John 20:31 - MSG)

The disciple wrote that if all the works and words that Christ did and said were written down, "the world itself could not contain the volumes."  John tells us that these things he did write are to serve as a testimony to the divinity of Jesus - "so you will believe".

What does the "Gospel of (insert your name)" tell us about what Jesus has done or is still doing today in your life?  Your faith, your spiritual victories , your healing, your deliverance (from drugs or alcohol, from spiritual bondage, from pride, from some sinful or abusive relationships), your career or your ministry - whatever it is that you need to share with others today and for those who come after you.  Are you sharing the wonders of this Life you've been given?!?!?

Before He ascended, Jesus gave us the following instructions:  "you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth" (Acts 1:8 - NIV).  You and I have the awesome responsibility to establish the heritage of Faith for the generations that will come behind us.  As the Holy Spirit gives us strength, wisdom and encouragement, so to will He give us the words to speak and the knowledge to share Christ with the dying world around us.

We are the "great cloud of witnesses" the writer to the Hebrews speaks of.  Let us not fail in our service to the King of the Ages!!

"He was supreme in the beginning and—leading the resurrection parade—He is supreme in the end. From beginning to end He's there, towering far above everything, everyone. So spacious is He, so roomy, that everything of God finds its proper place in Him without crowding. Not only that, but all the broken and dislocated pieces of the universe—people and things, animals and atoms—get properly fixed and fit together in vibrant harmonies, all because of His death, His blood that poured down from the cross. (Colossians 1:18-20-MSG)

If there's any doubt for you as to whether or not Christ should be the highest priority in your life, please re-read the above passage!!  He wants to be first.  He deserves to be first.  We are commanded to make Him first.

John MacArthur said, "He is the Star of astronomy, the Rock of geology, the Lion and the lamb of zoology, the Harmonizer of all discords and the Healer of all diseases.

Great men have come and gone, yet He lives on. Herod could not kill Him: Satan could not seduce Him: death could not destroy Him: the grave could not hold Him."

What an amazing Savior we serve!  His very being demands preeminence in our lives, our situations and our struggles.  He deserves first recognition for everything good that happens in our lives.  The Word says that "all good things come from the Father of Lights with Whom there is no shadow of turning."

Put Him first in your life today.  Focus on making every thought, every word and every action count for His Kingdom as you go through your routine today.  The result will be anything but routine!  You will change the world forever in Jesus' Name!  Amen!

"The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." (James 5:16 - KJV)

The Message puts it this way:  "The prayer of a person living right with God is something powerful to be reckoned with."  I love that!

I wouldn't really even have to write much, would I?  There are no massive revelations that come to mind immediately about this verse.  What I know is that I was awake several times during the night last night and prayer was on my mind.  God revealed this scripture to me encouraging me to share it with you today.

Two things seemed to be required in order for you and I to have an effective prayer life.  Are you ready for this? 

• Live right with God
• Pray

Deep stuff, huh?  No.  God hasn't put together a communication plan that is complicated and He hasn't set the bar at an impossible level for your prayers to qualify for an answer.  All He asks is that we follow these 2 simple instructions.  (Simple instructions are good - I just put together a trampoline earlier in the week.  If prayer were designed similarly, I think I might have given up on a powerful prayer life a long time ago!!)

Living right with God won't mean you do everything perfectly.  Now, this is not the bumper sticker rule.  You know the one - "Christians aren't perfect, they're just forgiven."  I hate that!  I feel as though non-believers look at that as some license to sin for folks professing Christianity.  No, we aren't perfect, but we should be striving to be like Christ daily and He was. 

Living right with God is about relationship.  Walking side by side with His Holy Spirit guiding and directing your thoughts, words and actions.  If we "abide in Him and He abides in us" how can we go wrong?  Alone, you and I are in big trouble, but led by His Spirit we are an amazing force for righteousness!

Finally, Just Do It!!  (Yeah, there's some trademarked stuff here...:))  Seriously - PRAY!! Set a time each day when you know you won't be interrupted - first thing after you wake up, during your commute (recommend the "open eye" method on that one), during your lunch break, but make it consistent and make sure you can be as free from interruption as possible. 

To keep your prayer organized you can follow the 4 steps of the Prayer of Jabez or some other model.  Sometimes I follow this simple model someone shared with me years ago:

• Adoration - let Him know how much you love Him.  Give Him praise for all things good in your life and for seeing you through the things that are not so good!
• Confession - Clear the air.  Get the sin barrier removed between you and the throne.  Bask in His forgiving mercy and approach Him boldly.
• Thanksgiving - Thank Him for everything!  The Word instructs us to give thanks IN everything.  You don't have to thank him FOR everything, but thank Him THROUGH it!
• Supplication - Now you're ready, in Jesus' Name, to ask the Father for His divine direction in your life.  Seek His will in every situation.  Let Him know that you're not interested in moving in any direction without hearing from Him first.  This is the essence of Lordship!  This is also the time for your to stop and LISTEN.  He will speak to us if we stop talking long enough to hear HIM! 

Prayer changes everything.  Be faithful in your prayer life.  He is faithful to hear and answer.  The only prayer He does not respond to is the one never prayed!

"He was pierced for our transgressions, 
   He was crushed for our iniquities;
   the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him,
   and by His wounds we are healed."  (Isaiah 53:5 - TM)

Helen Keller wrote, "I do not want the peace that passeth understanding. I want the understanding which bringeth peace."

What Helen didn't realize is that these things are one in the same.  You see the only way peace can even be defined is in relation to the Prince of Peace, Jesus.  For without Him, peace does not exist.  No Jesus - no peace - it's that simple.  His suffering made possible our physical healing.  His sacrifice on the Cross paid our sin debt.  And "the punishment that brought us PEACE was upon Him." 

When trouble comes - and it will - hear Our Lord speaking these words to you:  "In this godless world you will continue to experience difficulties. But take heart! I've conquered the world." (John 16:33 - TM).  He recognized the "godless" world for what it is.  We should too!  We will never be content here without truly making Christ Lord over our families, our jobs, our ministry (yes, we all have a role to play - a spiritual destiny to fill - a legacy to establish), our churches (pastors, elders, deacons, staff members, you need to be led before you can lead)and our situations.  There is a peace that passes understanding, but you must know The Source of that peace in order to receive it!

Father, I pray Your peace upon all who read this today.  I pray that they might have the inner peace that only comes through relationship with You.  Jesus, Your sacrifice defeated anger, wrath, turmoil, stress and strife and we are no longer bound by a spirit of restlessness, but by Your Spirit of Peace.  We claim that peace for our lives right now, In Jesus' Name!  Amen.

Yesterday, we talked about Christ's suffering and the physical healing that was made possible.  But Isaiah's prophecy promises much more than just physical healing.

"He was pierced for our transgressions, 
   He was crushed for our iniquities;
   the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him,
   and by His wounds we are healed.  (Isaiah 53:5 - TM)

When Jesus gave His life freely for us on the Cross, He did prevail against the battle of physical attacks that satan wages against our earthly bodies.  But most importantly, He conquered the power of sin and its eternal condemning impact on us as sojourners here on earth!!  From the moment Adam and Eve failed to follow God's plan for them, sin was born and physical death became an eventual final reality for all mankind.  The word teaches us that "the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."  That gift could have only been made possible by the ultimate act of sacrifice.  The sin nature that was set into motion in Genesis was stopped dead in its tracks at the moment Christ proclaimed, "It is finished!"

He bore our punishment.  He became the substitute for the terrible and eternal death you and I deserve.  Why?  Because He loved us.  While we may strive to study and understand, I am convinced that we will never be able to truly grasp the depth, breadth, height and width of that Love until we can look into His eyes and see Love personified.  Oh, what Love!!  Oh, what a Savior!!

Jesus, thank You!  Thank You for bearing our sin weight.  Thank you for being readily willing to be abandoned by Your Father that we might never be lost.  Thank you for shedding Your precious Blood so that we might drink freely from that "Fountain filled with blood."  Thank you for Your righteousness that made possible the ultimate sacrifice - the Spotless Lamb of God, slain from the foundation of the world!!  All highest praise, honor and glory belong to You alone!!  Amen!!

God's plan is amazing!!  He does nothing small!  There are no partial plans with our God.  This could not be more effectively demonstrated than through His Name - Jehovah-Rapha (God, Our Healer).

In Isaiah, we read:  "He was wounded for our transgressions,
  He was bruised for our iniquities;
  The chastisement for our peace was upon Him,
  And by His stripes we are healed." (Isaiah 53:5)

"And by His stripes we are healed..."  Clearly, Christ's suffering made possible our physical healing.  How awesome to understand that He bore the pain and suffering that we would be helpless against in order to be able to offer us supernatural physical healing. 

Don't believe it?  When Bartimaeus, "The Beggar Formerly Known as Blind"  :)  reported his healing to the Pharisees, they had to determine if it was really him.  Then when they tried to explain it away, Bartimaeus simply told them, "Look, I don't know exactly what happened, and frankly, I don't care. What I do know is that I was blind, but now I can see." (Bryant Paraphrased Edition).  I can't tell you exactly how it happened, but our 9 year old son wasn't supposed to live to be 9 days old.  My mother, now looking healthier than she has in years, should have died from her aggressive advanced-stage cancer.  That deaf lady we prayed for during a service a few years ago should have never been able to hear the whisper from across the room after we finished claiming her hearing in Jesus' Name!!  I believe it!  He paid the price for our physical healing and that flow is available for you and me today just like it was when Jesus was with us physically on Earth.

But Jehovah-Rapha means more than just physcial healing.  In the next two days, we will cover the other meanings of this Name and how Isaiah's three-fold healing prophecy can change our lives!

Father, thank You for giving us the gift of Your Son making possible our physical healing during our life here on earth.  We recognize the amazing power of His sacrifice and we claim healing for those who are afflicted in Jesus' Name.  Jesus, thank You!!  Your torn body makes it possible for ours to be whole!  Hosanna to the King!!

As he grew older, my paternal grandfather became a man of fewer and fewer words.  My grandmother made up for his decrease in conversation!  She could talk for hours either in person or on the phone while my grandfather just sat quietly, observing, watching old westerns on television or tinkering in his tool shed. 

More often than not, when "Grampa" did say something, it was hilarious!  He had a keen sense of humor and sly grin that stayed with him right up until his death many years ago.  I distinctly remember his hat bearing the words "Older Than Dirt" and the funny stories he would tell about his courtship with my grandmother.  I also remember that he kept a picture he would show to folks indicating his "Pride and Joy".  You may have seen those.  It was not a picture of my grandmother or his children or grandchildren.  It was a picture of a box of "Pride" detergent and "Joy" dishsoap!  He thought that was so funny!  He would laugh sheepishly after reeling someone in on that one. 

He did keep actual pictures of family in his wallet and he and my grandmother were so very proud of all of us.  They always bragged on us to everyone.  When you were around them they made you feel like the most talented, most special person on the face of the earth.  They were our biggest fans!  I always felt like a million bucks when I was with them!

We do the same thing.  All of us like to brag on our children or our family members.  We love them and it's okay to take pride in the accomplishments and talents or skills of those you love.  I love to share pictures of my kids, my wife and the memories we are creating.

Today, I wonder what our spiritual photo albums look like?  Paul boasted regarding the church at Thessalonica when he said, "Who do you think we're going to be proud of when our Master Jesus appears if it's not you? You're our pride and joy!"  (I Thessalonians 2:20 - TM).  Paul was proud of his converts and this righteous pride was part of what drove him to carry the Message of the Cross to the ends of the earth and to eventually give his life as a martyr for the cause of Christ. 

I often think of the Day of Judgement as a series of Powerpoint slides.  When they cue mine up, what will it show?  How many slides will contain pictures of the faces of those I shared The Good News with?  How many slides will demonstrate my contribution to missions and the local church?  How many slides will show me committing acts of love?   Will I be able to stand and say, "these are my pride and joy"?  Or will I be ashamed at how little content there is?  Will I be embarrassed and disappointed that my contribution has not been significant?  What about you?  Will that moment be one of "pride and joy" for you?  What will you have to show?  What will you have done with this Life God has given us?

My prayer for all of us is that our reflection upon our lives will be rich with significant work completed for the Kingdom of God.  I pray that we will see thousands of images of faces that were changed forever by our service to the King of Kings.  We are His feet.  We are His hands.  We are His pride and joy.

Most of you are probably very familiar with the story in Genesis where God asks Abraham to make the ultimate sacrifice - his son Isaac.  For many years, Abraham and Sarah had tried unsuccessfully to have a child.  Sarah was barren.  Abraham wanted an heir so badly that he even fathered Ishmael with Sarah's Egyptian servant, Hagar.  Ishamel, however, was not the offspring of the patriarch with whom God intended to grant the blessings of covenant.

God visited Abraham and told him that, within the year, Sarah would become pregnant and bear him a son.  Neither Abraham (100 years old at the time) or Sarah (90 years old) were easily convinced that this pregnancy would actually develop, but it did!! And they named the child Isaac as they had been instructed by the Lord. 

A few chapters later, begins a journey that disturbed me a little bit when I was younger (I used to pray God wouldn't test my parents like that!!!).  God instructs Abraham to take Isaac to the top of Mount Moriah and offer him there as a sacrifice - a burnt offering - to God.  Here's the part that's hard to understand.  Abraham had questioned some things God had directed up to this point.  He had a hard time believing god for Isaac and he objected when God wanted to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah.  But when the Lord asks Abraham to sacrifice his covenant heir, it is only recorded that Abraham got up early the next morning and said, "let's do this thing."  he even made Isaac carry the wood up the mountain!!  (As a kid, I always knew I wouldn't fall for that old trick!!)  And REMEMBER - ABRAHAM DIDN'T KNOW IT WAS A TEST!!!

They get to the top, Abraham builds an altar, straps Isaac to it and raises the knife, but the Lord steps in and holds his hand from finishing the gruesome ceremony.  And has Abraham had promised Isaac when he inquired about the sacrifice, God did, indeed, provide a lamb. 

Why did the Lord spare Isaac?  Because Abraham passed the test!  What was the test?  To determine if Abraham feared the Lord enough to be willing to give up his only son.  Because he did not withhold Isaac, Abraham not only the ram tangled in the thorns, he received the full covenant blessing from God and for the nation that would become mighty Israel.  And Abraham called the place "Jehovah Jireh" meaning the Lord will provide.

What about you?  Could you pass the same test?  Let's not just focus on sacrificing a child.  What would you give up in order to receive covenant blessing from God Our Maker?  His Word teaches us that "to live is Christ and to die is gain."  God wants to be our Jehovah Jireh.  He wants to be able to bless us so immensely.  But like the story of the monkey and the cookie jar, there may be things we need to let go of to be released into covenant blessing.

Search the heart of God today.  Seek His direction in what things you might be withholding today.  Release those and get ready for Jehovah Jireh to open the portals or Heaven and our out His Goodness on your life!

To say that life provides challenges is an understatement.  I often wonder how the non-believer deals with life's challenges, because it is my faith that carries me through tough times.  It is knowing that Christ suffered before me and that earthly suffering is temporary, because of His promise of eternity, that gets me through tough times.

When my mother was first diagnosed with Pick's Disease (an Alzheimer's-like disease) five years ago, I felt like I had been punched in the stomach.  I didn't think I could stand helplessly and watch her being systematically stolen from me.  I would, on a regular basis, cry until
my whole body ached.  I just didn't want to accept it.  In my mind, I knew God was in control, but my heart broke over and over again.  I think I might still be in that place, broken-hearted, if it weren't for Michael who reminded me that what happens here on Earth is so temporary in relation to eternity.  She will be whole again in Heaven, and I will get to rejoice and praise
God with her.  Although she doesn't speak anymore, I know that when we get to Heaven, she'll be shouting to the Lord! 

If you're walking through something difficult, remind yourself that in the scope of time and life, our time on Earth is so short in comparison to eternity; it is like the blinking of an eye.  Remember, too, that God is in control.  He is by your side, waiting for you to rest in Him. 

Although life provides challenges, God provides solutions (another understatement).  His grace is sufficient!  

"As the deer pants for streams of water,
   so my soul pants for you, my God."  (Psalm 42:1 - Today's NIV)

I used to pride myself in the fact that our dog, a Bassett Hound named "Elvis", was not like other dogs.  He didn't eat table scraps - only dog food.  Not just any dog food either.  The food had to be a certain percentage digestable before I would buy it.  Every year, on his birthday, August 28th, we would get him a "Happy Meal" from McDonald's - fries and a plain cheeseburger.  That was the extent of his non-dog designed fare.

As he has gotten older, we have relaxed our regimen "some".  He now gets a regular morning treat of three or four hot dogs.  We started with dog biscuits, then we moved to those fake bacon strips and we finally broke down and went to full blown hot dogs made from various parts of animals that can't be used for anything else worthwhile.  We're over the health kick for Elvis - and he is happier than he has ever been!

You might imagine how excited Elvis gets every morning just before "hot dog time".  After we let him out each morning, he stands at the door and whines incessantly until someone brings those hot dogs to him.  When he sees you coming, the tail begins to wag the dog!  He is overcome with the anticipation of what he is about to recieve.

The Psalmist demonstrates that same kind of anticipation when he compares his thirst after God to the deer that is panting after water.  As Believers, you and I should have a strong natural desire to be nurtured daily from the storehouse of God - His Word, the Bible.  

Maybe you already have this strong desire.  Maybe your day can't really begin or is already not complete until you've opened up your Bible, your devotional booklet or this website and spent time feeding your hunger and quenching your thirst for The Word.  Or maybe, just maybe, you haven't taken the time to feed your soul in awhile. 

I know if Elvis didn't show up at the back door every morning looking for his daily dose of "tripe" (look it up - yuck), I would wonder what had happened and become concerned about him.  Our Heavenly Father wants us to pursue Him desperately.  He wants us to live our lives in anticipation of the next portion from His Word that will feed our souls, give us direction and keep us on the track of destiny he has designed for our lives.  And what He provides is anything but junk!  It is the most nutritional thing we can ever imagine feeding our souls!

Beware spiritual anemia!  Feed upon the Word of God with a passion and be filled today!

Peace to you all!

Heart-wrenching.  There is a children’s hospital fundraising program that I came across last night while surfing through television channels.  Part of the presentation and plea for support includes some testimonial from parents whose children have been treated by this hospital for diseases like cancer and other serious and/or terminal conditions requiring in-patient types of care. 

One father speaks about his two-year-old son and asks the interviewer, “How do you thank someone for giving you time.”  The hospital was able to prolong the son’s life for 6 months before the cancer overtook him and he passed away.

A mother spoke about her daughter and her bone marrow transplant.  The transplant was the daughter’s only hope of survival having exhausted all other treatment regimens for her Leukemia.  Fortunately, the girl’s older brother was a bone marrow donation candidate - a perfect match.  The program showed the brother being wheeled into the lab for the withdrawal of his marrow, then transitioned to an image of the doctors pulling the bag of marrow out of a cooler to connect it to the girls body.  I couldn’t help but notice how careful the doctors were being with this precious substance.  It was the girl’s only hope of survival.

Jesus said, “My flesh is real food and my blood is real drink. By eating my flesh and drinking my blood you enter into me and I into you. In the same way that the fully alive Father sent me here and I live because of him, so the one who makes a meal of me lives because of me."  (John 6:57 - TM).

"What can wash away my sin?  Nothing but the Blood of Jesus!  What can make me whole again?  Nothing but the Blood of Jesus!  Oh, precious is the flow that makes me white as snow!  No other fount I know - nothing but the Blood of Jesus!"

You and I must recognize that Christ's precious shed Blood is our only chance for survival.  We must bathe ourselves in this "Fountain filled with Blood, drawn from Emanuel's veins."  More importantly, we must share the good news with others that Jesus SAVES!!!  It is their only hope and we are the only messengers.  If we do not tell them, who will?  We know The Perfect Match!  We know the Secret to eternal life!  We cannot and must not keep Him to ourselves!

Oh, Lord, thank You for laying down Your Life and calling us friends.  We thank You for Your Blood, the Blood of the Spotless Lamb of God Who takes away the sins of the world.  You are our Redeemer.  You have purchased us for a price - Your Blood.  We receive the transfusion of Your Blood into our veins and claim the royal status You have bestowed upon us - sons and daughters of The King of Kings.  You alone are Worthy.  You alone are Holy.  To You alone is all Glory, Honor and Praise given.  Amen and amen!

"Jonathan repeated his pledge of love and friendship for David. He loved David more than his own soul!" (1 Samuel 20:17 - TM)

When Jesus talked to his disciples about friendship He called them "deep spirited friends".  Jesus was an expert storyteller and being from the lineage of David, undoubtedly He knew the story of David and his deep spirited friendship with Jonathan, son of Saul, very well.  King Saul and David, interestingly, were friends first.  David came to the aide of Saul when he slayed Goliath and paved the way for Saul's Israelite army to defeat the Philistines at Kidron.  Saul awarded David generously and gave him a seat at the King's table.  In Saul's darkest moments as King, it was the sound of David's masterful harp playing that soothed his tormented soul.  They were close friends.  Yet when Saul became jealous over the divinely appointed exploits of David in battle and David's popularity with the people (exceeding that of Saul's), Saul set out to kill David.  You know the saying, "with friends like that, who needs enemies!!!"

Saul miscalculated one thing.  His own son, Jonathan, had discovered something about deep spirited friendship that Saul apparently never understood.  Jonathan and David loved each other as brothers.  They had a convenant relationship.  True convenant relationships like deep friendship commitments, marriage and spiritual bonds don't come weighed down with the baggage of non-covenant relationships like abuse, abandonment, estrangement, defamation and MURDER!!  Godly friendships and relationships aren't based in unrealisitc expectations nor do they operate with sets of unfair comparisons or unreasonable requirements.  These covenant relationships are deeply rooted in what Jesus proclaimed as the greatest of the commandments - "Love your neighbor as you love yourself."

Today, I encourage you to take an inventory of your relationships.  Are they covenant in nature?  Are your friendships focused on serving others?  Would you be willing to "lay down your life" for your friends?

Jesus called you and me His friends.  How is that covenant relationship going for you?  Are you serving Him, loving Him more than you love your own soul like Jonathan did David?

Lord. give us deep spirited friends.  Help us to love deeply and passionately.  Develop within us the Agape love that only you can bring into the hearts of man.  We commit our lives to you and make you Lord.  In Jesus' Name - Amen.

The boys and their cousin Jordan wanted to camp out in the backyard last night.  We set up the tent, built a fire, got the flashlights all charged up and they were set.  Oh yeah, we also had to hook up an extension cord so they could take the portable television into the tent and watch a movie before going to sleep.....really roughin' it, they were...:)

Rhonda, Reid Elizabeth and I joined them for awhile around the fire.  The boys roasted hot dogs, burned up a few marshmallows and laughed about some of the disgusting bodily functions guys usually laugh about around the campfire (that was mostly after their mother had gone inside).  All in all it was a great experience.  A couple of pictures are attached here for those of you who want to see the "I Survived The Backyard" proof.

Here's the catch....I got absolutely no sleep at all.  I stayed out by the fire waiting for it to burn down for awhile and then finally came inside.  While the boys were, comfy, warm and sleeping like logs, I was up most of the night checking on them multiple times.  Call it crazy.  I know the backyard isn't some terrible, desolate wilderness, but I couldn't help it.  I just had to know that they were okay.  I know that many of you would do the same thing.

Chris Rice wrote a song once with a line that said, "While I was dreaming You were singing over me."  Our Heavenly Father watches over us much the same way I was watching over the boys during the night.  He dispatches angels to watch over us and protect us.  His Spirit presence is much more critical to us because you and I are in an isolated, foreign and inhospitable land.  We are far away from Home and we need the protection and the guidance that only Jehovah God can provide.

His Word says, "God is bedrock under my feet, the castle in which I live, my rescuing knight.  My God—the high crag where I run for dear life, hiding behind the boulders, safe in the granite hideout; My mountaintop refuge, He saves me from ruthless men." (2 Samuel 22:3 - TM)

Thank You, Father for keeping watch over us continually.  Thank You for Your protection.  You are are Refuge.  You are our Strength.  You are our everything!  Amen!

As a child, I can remember sitting in the car with my father while my mother ran into the grocery store to “pick up a few things“.  It was always going to be “just a minute“.  I think it was such an amazing opportunity for her to get some “alone” time.  That’s why it felt like minutes became hours!  Well…I don’t blame her.  She deserved the peace, quiet and tranquility that only the supermarket can bring….:)

One of the highlights of those times in the car were the magic tricks…..er…..trick that my father would perform for my siblings and me.  Amazingly, there was always a gum wrapper in the car (particularly strange now that I think about it).  My dad would take that gum wrapper, wad it up into a little ball and with one quick move of the hands, it was gone.  We would all then begin to climb all over the HUGE interior of some of those old 60’s and 70’s model cars we owned - the ‘72 Green Plymouth was my favorite - as we searched for that little wad of paper and foil.  We would never find it, of course, and when we would finally give up, with just one more swift motion of the hand, he would reveal that it had magically moved from his hands to a spot over the visor or in the glove box.  I was always amazed.  I can remember being slightly disappointed when I found out his secret.  Imagine that - TWO gum wrappers!  There was also that bit about, “okay, close your eyes and watch this“…(wow, was I naïve!!).  I wanted the illusion to continue - but we had discovered the “trick” and the mystery was gone.

I’ll never forget the first magic set I got.  I was 7 or 8 years old and it came with EVERYTHING!  A deck of cards, a disappearing coin trick, a couple of mysterious rope lengths, the always necessary black handkerchief, the black wand with the white tips on each end and a comprehensive guide guaranteed to help me become the world’s next greatest magician.  I mean it was NICE!  And I wore that magic set out.  I loved it.

I’m still fascinated with magicians.  How cool is it that David Copperfield can make an elephant or an airplane or the Statue of Liberty vanish into thin air?!?!  What about Criss Angel and his amazing levitation demonstrations?  How is that possible?  Have you seen David Blaine and his mind-blowing street magic?  He doesn’t just get the card right.  The card with the personal message from the individual on the street instantly ends up stuck to the inside of the window of the store or restaurant they happen to be standing in front of!  How?!?!

Here’s what we know:  There’s a trick to everything - a secret.  From the disappearing gum wrapper to the levitation between skyscrapers on the Vegas strip - there’s a logical explanation.  A series of complex hidden wires and pullies.  Smoke and mirrors.  Hands that are not quicker than the eye - but smarter, crafty.

You know where I’m headed.  Life has its own tricks up its sleeve.  The world is full of illusions - distractions.  These illusions pull our eyes and our minds from reality and we slip into a fog of deception and confusion.  We follow and choose to believe in things that simply are not as they appear……and we soon find out that the grass isn’t really greener…..that road isn’t really smoother….that choice isn’t better for everybody in the end……

When we become a part of the Kingdom of God, it’s as though the scales drop from our eyes.  Suddenly, we see the ropes.  The smoke clears.  We can’t believe we missed those mirrors right in front of our faces! We catch on - TWO gum wrappers??

Lord, teach us to see with Spirit eyes.  Guide us through the illusions the world would have us buy into and give us the wisdom to discern the Truth.  We bind the “wiles of the devil” in Jesus’ Name.  We will not be deceived.  Amen.

Today is one of America's finest days.  Today, my good friend Milos from Croatia and his wife and two children, become American citizens!  Congratulations, Cupac Family!

Milos and I became acquainted through work over the course of the last couple of years.  Before he and his family were harbored in a refugee camp for more than four years, Milos was a Biology teacher in his home country.  During their time in camp, he and his family shared a space no larger than most folks' living room with 3 other families.  Milos and I have talked about their experience many times.  As you can imagine, the memories fire a mix of emotions in Milos. 

What kept Milos and his family from giving up during those years as refugees in a civil war torn region?  What kept Milos from becoming bitter about his circumstances?  What kept him from losing it when his children were convinced that they would never get to leave the camp alive?

Faith.  As a devout Orthodox Christian, Milos knew that God would see his family through the trials they were facing.  While others were executed, he and his family passed quietly into the camp without incident.  Missionaries from the Methodist Church befriended Milos and eventually helped pave the way for the family to be released from the camp and to travel to the United States.  Milos and his wife, Marice, both found meaningful work that provided not only income, but benefits like complimentary health and dental care for the entire family.  Both of the Cupac's children earned Bachelor's degrees and both have gone on to graduate school - one to pursue a Master's in Education (so he can become a teacher like his father) and the other is pursuing her Doctorate in Psychology.  And today, the Cupac family will take the oath of United States Citizenship!

Milos is a small and wiry individual.  He is also one of the sweetest people I have ever had the privilege to call my friend.  But at the center of this humble facade is the heart of a lion and a faith of Old Testament proportion!  You can see in his eyes, the love and compassion of Christ shining through.  I love Milos, my dear friend and now, FELLOW AMERICAN.  And I love what Milos has taught me about dealing with disappointment, discouragement and difficulty.  His strength has made me stronger.  His faith, like that of the biblical Partiarchs, is contagious and convincing.

What struggles are you facing today?  What giant stands before you, taunting and ridiculing you and those you care for?  What fears are holding you back from taking big steps down the path of your God-given destiny?  Jesus said to the woman who touched the hem of his robe, "Courage, daughter. You took a risk of faith, and now you're well." (Matt. 9:22 - TM) 

Today, the Holy Spirit is encouraging you and me.  The Spirit says, "Courage, (insert your name).  You took a risk of faith, and now........."  Risk faith today and fill in the blank tomorrow!

We've all seen the news headlines:  Parent Attacks Coach at Little League Game.  When the details surface, we find out that the parent thought his or her child had been treated unfairly.  While we may not understand why a parent would take such drastic measures, as parents, we've all wanted to, at some time or other, rush to the defense of a child.  Can you think of anything that would cause you to refrain from protecting your child?  Can you think of any cause so great, you would allow your child to endure abuse, be it verbal or physical?  

The Bible says that spectators at Christ's crucifixion taunted Him by saying, "You bragged that you could tear down the Temple and then rebuild it in three days—so show us your stuff! Save yourself! If you're really God's Son, come down from that cross!" (Matthew 27: 39-40, The Message).  Could I be a cause so great that God didn't rush to Christ's defense and call the whole thing off?

Let's take this a step further.  Can you imagine anything for which you would sacrifice your child?  Can you think of any cause so great, you would abandon him or her, even for a moment?  

Matthew 27: 45-46 (The Message) reads,

From noon to three, the whole earth was dark. Around mid-afternoon Jesus groaned out of the depths, crying loudly, "Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?" which means, "My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?"

It wasn't until I had children that I fully understood this.  Of course, like most good Christians, I could recite John 3:16 on cue; however, I never quite comprehended the words until I became a parent.  God loved you and he loved me so much that He watched while his only Son was tortured and nailed to the cross.  Wow.  Could I be a cause so great that God would abandon his Son, even for a moment?  

A mother of three incredible children, I can still recite John 3:16, on cue, but it has a whole new meaning.  God loved me so much that he gave his only Son so I could have eternal life!  Wow!  I am a cause so great!

“How do I love thee; let me count the A’s” reads the bulletin board in my high school English classroom.  An allusion to Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s famous poem, it provides a place for me to display proficient work.  Of course, I don’t just “love” the A students; however, I thought it a clever way to get the students’ attention. 

 
I’ve been thinking about the “Christian bulletin board” and what it might say.  What if God only loved the “A” Christians.  What if we could only win his mercy through proficiency in living Christ-centered lives?  Further, I’ve thought about what some of our “A’s” might represent?  Apathy? Avarice?  Adultery? (like Hester Prynne’s in Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter)

The good thing is that no matter what our “A’s” stand for, God is merciful to accept less-than proficiency.  It’s not that he is content with mediocrity; however, like most good teachers (and Christ is the ultimate one) he accepts our faults while teaching us to do better.  So, strive for the “A” but if you find yourself falling short of the “Principles” list, accept that God’s mercy is enough. 

For all returning to face the world after the holiday - Jesus prayed this prayer for you!

"I have revealed you to those whom you gave me out of the world. They were yours; you gave them to me and they have obeyed your word.  Now they know that everything you have given me comes from you.  For I gave them the words you gave me and they accepted them. They knew with certainty that I came from you, and they believed that you sent me.  I pray for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given me, for they are yours.  All I have is yours, and all you have is mine. And glory has come to me through them....."

"....Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name—the name you gave me—so that they may be one as we are one......"

".....I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world.  My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one.  They are not of the world, even as I am not of it.  Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.  As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world.  For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified......"

".....My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.  I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one:  I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.  Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world.  Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me.  I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them." (Excerpts from John 16 - TM)

Be encouraged!  "If God is for us, who can be against us?!?!"  Be the Light today in a dark and dying world and find joy in Him who is still interceding on our behalf!!

Jesus said, "When the Friend I plan to send you from the Father comes—the Spirit of Truth issuing from the Father—he will confirm everything about me." (John 15:26 - TM)

I don't know about you, but on occasion, a sense of doubt creeps into my mind.  I begin to try to systematically prove to myself that everything I believe in is real by going through a series of logical and analytical steps to work out the truth and make sense of the seemingly impossible.  I don't struggle with this on a daily basis.  Just every once in awhile, my mind takes over where my heart should be focused and a brief moment of humanity pulls just a small corner of the rug out from under my Spirit feet.  If you ever have a similar feeling, I wish I could tell you how to avoid it - but I can't.  I can, however, tell you how I overcome it.

Getting back to the basics of my Spirit man always works for me.  Recognizing the reason we were created - God Worship - and plugging into that power source always recharges my Faith "batteries". 

You know, I never close my eyes and focus on how much I love NFL football and become overwhelmed with emotion and feel deep kinship and communion with the Commissioner of the league.  I never reflect on how much I enjoy my favorite restaurant and feel the need to humble myself and kneel and speak a prayer of praise and thanksgiving for the sustenance it provides.  I have never felt the need to lift my hands toward any preacher, teacher or boss or surrender my all to a powerful performance by an actor or the oration of a political leader.

But when I begin to privately or publicly express my deep devotion and love for Jesus, I often describe the physical sensation as though someone has just poured out a bucket of warm oil over my head.  It is in those moments when I begin to sing within my Spirit the words, "there is none like You.  No one else can touch my heart like You do.  I could search for all eternity, Lord and find there is none like You."  Nothing compares to the Spirit's response to our praise.  That return alone validates everything you and I believe.  It is through this communion, this strengthening of our personal relationship with Our Redeemer that you and I find the kind of unshakeable Faith that Paul spoke of when he said, "so that your faith might not rest on men's wisdom, but on God's power." (I Corinthians 2:5 - TM).

Lord, we pray not for Faith, but for Spirit and Truth worship.  For by and through these. we know that all Faith is confirmed and that all things of the Kingdom are revealed to us.  We know that as we Worship, doubt flees in terror, sickness and disease are overcome and the gates of hell are battered.  There is truly none like You, Lord.  Amen.

Rhonda and I both have some OCD tendencies.  I admit, hers are worse than mine...:)  I stress about the yard, the landscaping and the structural pieces of our home that I would like to change - the outside stuff.  She stresses about a single piece of unwashed laundry, ripples in the comforter on a bed and dust in any form on any surface - the inside stuff.  I stress about the outside of the vehicles and she stresses about the interior.  We both are a little over the top in these areas.  But given our different areas of obsessive focus, we are a perfect match!

That's OCD of the Earthly nature.

What if there were more people with OCD of the heavenly nature - Obsessive Christianity Disorder.

Obsessive Christianity Disorder is a peculiar and rare condition.  OCD of the heavenly kind inspired Paul and Silas to lead Praise & Worship in prison and hold camp meetings in dungeons.  OCD of the heavenly kind has given martyrs the courage to stand tied to a stake at the top of a burning pile of wood and sing hymns and lift their hands in worship until their bodies were consumed by the flames.  OCD of the heavenly kind moves people to action without counting the cost or recognizing sacrifice.  OCD of the heavenly kind has no cure and is highly contagious!

OCD of the heavenly kind can be summed up in the words of the Lord when He said, "Put your life on the line for your friends." (John 15:13 - TM) 

Do you have this rare condition?  Are you obsessing today about spreading it to others?  Do you lie awake and pray for those in your own family or office or neighborhood who have not chosen to make Jesus Lord of their lives?  Are you panicked by the thought of anyone dying and spending eternity separated from the love of God?

Father, infect us with an obsessive desire to see Your Kingdom come to the hearts of all men.  Never let us count as a success any day that we fail to share the Greatest News with those around us in the world.  Let us be obsessed with Your Word - never satisfied - always wanting more and more of You for ourselves and for the world around us.  Amen. 

Big win for the North Laurel Jaguars last night over their "across town rival" South Laurel.  Not a big score.  7-6, but that's all it takes.

Just before the game, I bought Reid Elizabeth a "Jaguars" t-shirt.  She was so happy to get it, but she didn't get to stay for the game.  She got to spend some time with Aunt B while Rhonda and I were actually able to watch the game!

After the game, when Aunt B brought her back, Reid Elizabeth asked her mother, "I have my Jaguar shirt.  Why I not play football?"  She was certain that if she had the shirt, she would not only get to be at the game, but she would actually get to play!  "Out of the mouths of babes - wisdom."

"Well done, my good and faithful servant" is not a phrase heard by folks who just show up on the day jerseys are passed out.  No, being a part of the team means more than standing on the sideline looking good.  It's not enough to be a good person, call yourself Christian and attend church regularly.  While these are all significant forms of fruit, they never come to fruition without strong branches connected to a deeply rooted tree.  Precious playing time coveted by most athletes comes by way of a lot of sweat, hundreds of grueling workouts, incessant repetition of plays until you have it 100% right and the determination to settle for nothing less than victory.  Active Christianity is much the same.  It is the same determination, that "pressing toward the mark" that Paul spoke of, that lets the world, beyond the shadow of a doubt, know what you and I stand for and what we are committed to in our lives all day everyday. 

How many people will stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ and feel confident they look good in the uniform only to hear, "I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!" (Matt. 7:23 - The Message)  It's just not enough to have the t-shirt, wear the uniform or talk the talk.  These are works.  Jesus said, "This is how my Father shows who he is - when you produce grapes, when you mature as my disciples." (John 15:8 - TM).

Father, thank You for showing us what it takes to be on Your winning team!  Help us to be disciplined and determined as we "press toward the mark" You have set before us.  I pray that everyone who reads this will stand before You as "good and faithful servants" - both now and on that day when we see Your Glory.  Make us branches bent to the ground with loads of fresh and wonderful fruit!  Amen.

It wasn't quite like I remember it.  It took us a long time to find it, but we finally came across the small cave opening I remember going in and out of 1000 times when I was around the age of 12 or so.  My friend Patrick and I had been digging another cave closeby, but I couldn't shake the feeling that "my" cave was still out there.  Sure enough, there it was.  A tiny hole deep in the middle of a straight vertical drop on all sides.

Interestingly, I also don't remember having an ounce of apprehension about going down into that little space as a young boy.  Today, Patrick went it alone.  I was good enough to let him borrow my lantern, but that was the extent of my participation in that part of the day's excursion.  I called out to him several times to make sure he was still alive - just doing my part...:)

I admit it, the older I get, the fewer risks I take.  I blame it on having a family, responsibilities and purpose.  I can't just abandon sound judgment and "go for it" anymore.  Those days are behind me, right?  Not exactly.

The Word is full of stories about God's people stepping out in faith when any logical individual would have lent their lantern and called out to make sure the other guy was okay.  Noah built an ark when everyone called him an idiot.  The prophets said things to kings that would have been enough to get anyone else executed on the spot.  David stepped up and said he could take that giant out while his brother called him a show-off and told him to go home and the woman that touched the bottom of Jesus' robe knew she really wasn't supposed to do that. 

Each one of these Biblical rock stars had one thing in common with the others.  They really didn't care what people thought about them - they cared about the leadership of God in their lives and being fully obedient to Him without counting the cost.  As a result, they all came out on top of their situation!

My prayer for you and me today is that we will step out, be obedient to His direction in our lives and take some chances for the Kingdom.  Just like that trust building exercise where you have to fall backward into someone's arms, He will be there to make sure you succeed.  Trust Him - He is faithful.

Patrick, thanks for bringing my lantern back safely...:)

We took the kids fishing this evening out at our dear friend Charolette's farm.  I spent part of the day preparing for the big excursion.  Shoring up the rods and reels, throwing the tackle bag and fishing vests in the back of the truck along with a cooler full of drinks and a cab full of hot dogs and "all the fixin's".  Once Rhonda and the boys arrived home from school, we were ready to set out to spend a great evening in the country fishing a pond full of HUGE hybrid Bluegill!

As soon as we arrived and could get the first baited hook in the water, we were in the big fish!  Trey, William and Reid Elizabeth all caught several nice keepers. 

Long ago, I made the important decision to not even attempt to do any serious fishing when the kids are along.  Truly, they require a lot of attention.  Between baiting their hooks, helping get fish off the hook and simply trying to keep them from falling headlong into the water, there's just no time for my serious kind of fishing.  After years of frustration, I finally made up my mind to just serve them while they fish.  Tonight, though, even Rhonda and I caught a fish or two.  (I promise not to mention Rhonda's worm phobia during this tale.)  We were having a blast and I was thoroughly enjoying myself!!

At some point, William made his way to the opposite side of the pond from the rest of the outfit.  As I watched him from a distance, I realized fairly quickly that he was going to make a mess of the line if he continued his antics of intentional "miscasting".  In a spirit of patience, I decided not to say anything and quickly got back to the business of baiting someone else's hook.

Only a few minutes later, here came William back around to our side of the pond with a frustrated look on his face.  You guessed it.  The line was as twisted as the fibers in a cotton ball.  It's strange - the fishing line tangle.  It is hard to imagine how a line so well wound, so thin and so straight can become the rat's nest I held in my hand. 

Needless to say, I lost my patience at that moment.  I got the line untangled, said a few menacing words to William about how ridiculous it was that he let the line get in that shape, baited his hook and got him back on the dock fishing where I could keep a closer eye on the little knot tier.

Reflecting back on the experience tonight, I realized how much patience God has with me.  How many times has he let me wander over to the outskirts of His purpose for me?  How many times have I taken the perfect things He has given me and made a terrible mess of them?  How many times has He had to bail me out of crisis situation after crisis situation?  I get things so tangled up and I am AMAZED at how skillfully He is able to untangle it all!!

William is learning....and so am I.

Know today that God is the Master Knot Untier!!!  When we get all tangled up in the world, He can set us FREE!!!!