Posts

Showing posts from 2016

Distant

"Though the Lord is great, he cares for the humble, but he keeps his distance from the proud." Psalm 138:6 Like all other couples, my wife and I have experienced times and seasons of closeness as well as distance. Interestingly, very few if any of them had anything to do with our physical proximity at the time. We've been in the same room and even in the same bed, yet remained light years apart. On the flip side, we've been separated by half the globe, yet remained indivisibly connected. The difference? The heart.   David observes in his Psalm that the Lord is near and distant from people as well. The difference? Again, the heart. The humble are near to God. They're close enough to come under his care. The proud are far from him. This distance we read in other places in the Bible is not innocuous. No, those who are separated from God by their pride are actively opposed by God. Yikes!  We're all in need of a heart exam. Has pride w

Lukewarm

"I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish you were one or the other! But since you are like lukewarm water, I will spit you out of my mouth!" Revelation 3:15-16 Cold milk is the best. It's so good, until it warms up. Ugh! So strong is my aversion to room temperature milk that I will use ice cubes to keep it cold. I'll put ice in my glass. I'll even put ice in my cereal bowl so the milk stays super cold. On the other hand, my coffee has to be hot. I know cold coffee is a thing now, but not for me. Once cool, it's either down the drain or in the microwave. Milk is to be cold and coffee hot. Middle of the road is simply no good. In speaking to this church, Jesus used a powerful picture to get their attention, which highlighted hot, cold and lukewarm drinks. Many believe Jesus was contrasting this city's water supply with water from two surrounding cities: Hierapolis - known for its medicinal hot springs

All People

"I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. This is good and pleases God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth. For, there is one God and Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity--the man Christ Jesus. He gave his life to purchase freedom for everyone. This is the message God gave to the world at just the right time. I Timothy 2:1-6 I love pizza. Eating it is one of those small pleasures in life that is sure to bring a smile to my face. The snack shop at the camp I worked at in high school served pizza. Tombstone pizza. Thin crust. When it came out of the toaster oven, only the heat of the cheese kept me from absolutely devouring it. It's still my favorite. There are many other pizzas and pizza places out there, but I don't th

Always

"I know the Lord is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me." Psalm 16:8 As soon as the words "always" and "never" leave my mouth, I start to get a little nervous. Something inside of me starts to question the veracity of the statement, particularly in the context of a spirited conversation with my sweetheart. Those words tend to be overstatements for dramatic purposes, but not always... In our verse for the day, the Psalmist uses the word "always" in an appropriate way. The context? An attribute and a promise of God. God is omnipresent, everywhere present at the same time. He is faithful to his promise to never leave us. This attribute and this promise result in something that we cannot experience any other way. ... We become unshakeable. I don't know about you, but when I get unnerved, I tend to be looking at everything other than God's ever-presence. His word is clear. He's with us, always has been, always w

Contentment

"...for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. ... I have learned the secret of living in every situation ... For I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength." Philippians 4:11-13 The other day I caught myself complaining about car repairs. ... "Brakes again!? I'll bet brake manufacturers and mechanics have a sweet deal worked out between them. Every time I turn around I'm paying for brake work!" About that time, I was reminded of the many people in our community who I've seen in their work clothes walking the miles down the highway just to get to work. Paul, while grateful for this church's support, wanted to teach them the secret to contentment, that being the strength of Jesus. It's easy to see everything we don't have, but very difficult to see that which we do have. We haven't embraced the secret yet. Paul tells us: Jesus is all we need. We think we need more. This world and our enemy work very hard to co

Anger

"And don't sin by letting anger gain control over you. Don't let the sun go down while you are still angry, for anger gives a mighty foothold to the Devil." Ephesians 4:26-27 "Dear friends, be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. Your anger can never make things right in God's sight." James 1:19-20 After 28 years of marriage, my wife and I know each other's hot buttons. If we choose to push one, anger is sure to erupt. It would be great for us to never push those buttons. It would be even better to not have any of those buttons to push. Sadly, most of us trudge along through life carrying massive amounts of anger. Even more sad is that we don't realize we don't have to be carrying it at all. Paul and James provide a powerful 1-2 punch to dealing with anger. Paul tells us to chase it out the door. If we sit with it, we invite our enemy's influence into our life. James tells us that our ears and not our mouths will pr

True Measure

"But we who live by the Spirit eagerly wait to receive everything promised to us who are right with God through faith. For when we place our faith in Christ Jesus, it makes no difference to God whether we are circumcised or not circumcised. What is important is faith expressing itself through love." Galatians 5:5-6 The last time I took one of our cars to get its oil changed, the dipstick wasn't showing any oil on it at all. One of the crazy things about old cars is they burn oil. The oil change guy gave me a look that said, "They put these dipsticks in the engines so you can check and make sure your car isn't running low on oil ... dipstick." A low manhood moment to be sure.  In writing this letter to the Galatians, Paul wanted to make sure they were properly equipped to assess the condition of their faith. There were some false and misleading measurements being heralded among them and he needed to set the record straight. It wasn't rule keeping. It wasn

Plans and Purposes

"The Lord Almighty has sworn this oath: 'It will all happen as I have planned. It will come about according to my purposes. I will break the Assyrians when they are in Israel; I will trample them on my mountains. My people will no longer be their slaves. I have a plan for the whole earth, for my mighty power reaches throughout the world. The Lord Almighty has spoken -- who can change his plans? When his hand moves, who can stop him?'" Isaiah 14:24-27 I had every intention of following through. The weather was great. The lawn was long. The mowers were ready to roll. Nothing but green lights. It was go time! However, after some lengthy conversations, after meetings I had failed to take into account and after the setting of the sun, go time came and went. My plan was blown up. My checklist item that read, "Mow the yard," was still on the list. Have you ever been there? In our verses for the day, God reveals that this breakdown between plan and reality is one h

True Thanks

"I don't need the bulls you sacrifice; I don't need the blood of goats. What I want instead is your thanks to God; I want you to fulfill your vows to the Most High. Trust me in times of trouble, and I will rescue you, and you will give me glory ... But giving thanks is a sacrifice that truly honors me. If you keep to my path, I will reveal to you the salvation of our God." Psalm 50:13-15, 23 On many occasions, I would even say most, my kids go out of their way to thank their mother and I when we do something for them or give them something. It's truly amazing. No matter how often we hear it, we genuinely appreciate it. Most often, I think to myself, "Wow, their mom did a great job raising them!" Gratitude is a really really big deal. God, through Asaph the singer, poet and prophet, clearly addressed a significant problem in the hearts of his people. They had replaced worship with religion. Motions with no internal substance. Rituals devoid of meaning.

He Alone

"Without warning, he moves the mountains, overturning them in his anger. He shakes the earth from its place, and its foundations tremble. If he commands it, the sun won't rise and the stars won't shine. He alone has spread out the heavens and marches on the waves of the sea. He made all the stars -- the Bear, Orion, the Pleiades, and the constellations of the southern sky. His great works are too marvelous to understand. He performs miracles without number." Job 9:5-10 During some recent stargazing, I found myself lost in the wonder of our galaxy. One galaxy among billions. Our sun one star in our galaxy among billions. Our planet one of 8 (or 9) in our solar system. Our life one of billions on the planet. All ... galaxies, stars, planets and people made by God and for God ... each made specifically, uniquely, and intimately known by him. Job, even in the midst of his agony and heartbreak, couldn't be shaken from his deep awe and fear of God. The One who is above

Close

"The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those who are crushed in spirit. The righteous face many troubles, but the Lord rescues them from each and every one." Psalm 34:18-19 As I walked to my youngest daughter's room to say, "Good night", the emotional truck ran me over. She's not there anymore. An entire day of moving her into her college dorm was blocked from my memory -- for just a second. Even positive and healthy events are accompanied with heartache not to mention the agony of negative events. What do we do with it? David knew heartbreak. He was betrayed, slandered and hunted like a wild animal. He buried two of his children, one who tried to kill him. He was crushed under the weight of his own guilt and sin and disciplined sharply by God. His response? Run to God and don't let go. He leaned into God's nearness. This week some of us will lose our job. Some will be served divorce papers. Some will head to bankruptcy. Others of us wil

Fortress

"O Lord, I have come to you for protection; don't let me be disgraced. Save me, for you do what is right. Turn your ear to listen to me; rescue me quickly. Be my rock of protection, a fortress where I will be safe. You are my rock and my fortress. For the honor of your name, lead me out of this danger. Pull me from the trap my enemies set for me, for I find protection in you alone. I entrust my spirit into your hand. Rescue me Lord for you are a faithful God." Psalm 31:1-8 As the snow continued to pile up, I couldn't wait to get out there and make things happen. A snowman, an igloo, and most importantly, a snow fortress. All the neighbor kids found their way outside and the snow wars began. It was great! Snowballs flying up and over snow walls. Dozens of carefully crafted snowballs lined up and ready for battle. I have no idea how long it lasted, but as the sun set, the biting cold and mom's call brought us home with plenty of stories to tell, particularly about m

Far Greater

"'Be strong and courageous! Don't be afraid of the king of Assyria or his mighty army, for there is a power far greater on our side! He may have a great army, but they are just men. We have the Lord our God to help us and to fight our battles for us!' These words greatly encouraged the people." II Chronicles 32:7-8 On a regular basis, I speak with people who are on the edge of the edge. It may be at church. It may be at the gas station. It may be in my home. It may be the face looking back at me in the mirror. Life is hard. Storms are raging and thundering bringing us to our knees. We are left weathered and wondering. Will they ever pass? Will we ever rise in victory? The nation of Judah was in a bad situation. Outnumbered and outgunned, they were looking down the barrel of certain defeat and destruction. King Hezekiah, however, viewed the situation through a different set of eyes. His people were not the easy prey the enemy determined they were. They were

Hear and Do

"But Jehoshaphat asked, 'Isn't there a prophet of the Lord around, too? I would like to ask him the same question. ... So Micaiah told him, 'In a vision I saw all Israel scattered on the mountain, like sheep without a shepherd. And the Lord said, 'Their master has been killed. Send them home in peace.' ... So the king of Israel and King Jehoshaphat led their armies against Ramoth-gilead." II Chronicles 18:6,16,28 After reciting my litany of aches, pains, and "things I used to be able to do", my doctor gave me her prescription. Eat healthier. Consume less caffeine. Exercise ... a lot. So, I went home grabbed a bag of chips and a soda, sat down on the lazy boy and complained about how she had no idea what she was talking about it. Fundamentally, my problem was not an information shortage. It was an unwillingness to do anything with the information I had. Our story today reveals a king suffering from that same malady I see in myself way too often. K

Fellowship

"One of the things I always pray for is the opportunity, God willing, to come at last to see you. For I long to visit you so I can bring you some spiritual gift that will help you grow strong in the Lord. When we get together, I want to encourage you in your faith, but I also want to be encouraged by yours." Romans 1:10-12 "The Lord of the Rings" movie trilogy was, to say the least, wildly popular. In the story line, an unlikely group was formed called, "The Fellowship of the Ring." It included a dwarf, an elf, two men, a wizard and four hobbits. One of the great appeals of the movies for me was the undying bond of friendship between these characters. They found in each other the strength, the courage, the will, and the perseverance to complete the mission. In his letter to this church, Paul speaks of a longing in his heart to be able to visit his fellow Jesus followers in Rome. Why? In a word ... fellowship. He wanted to help them. He wanted to both gi

Hearts Cry

"About that time Hezekiah became deathly ill, and the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz went to visit him. He gave the king this message: This is what the Lord says, 'Set your affairs in order, for you are going to die. You will not recover from this illness.' When Hezekiah heard this, he turned his face to the wall and prayed to the Lord, 'Remember, O Lord, how I have always been faithful to you and have served you single-mindedly, always doing what pleases you.' Then he broke down and wept bitterly." II Kings 20:1-3 As the ambulance whisked our baby away, we scrambled to find family to take our other children so we could get to the hospital as quickly as possible. On our way, we prayed. We cried. We begged and we pleaded. She was so close to death and we knew it. God, in his providence, chose to answer 'yes' to our cries and her life on earth was extended. Hezekiah entered fully into the cry of the desperate heart. He was given the news of his imminent

Reviving

"Then Elisha died and was buried. Groups of Moabite raiders used to invade the land each spring. Once when some Israelites were burying a man, they spied a band of these raiders. So they hastily threw the body they were burying into the tomb of Elisha. But as soon as the body touched Elisha's bones, the dead man revived and jumped to his feet!" II Kings 13:20-21 I love words like refresh, revive, restore and renew. Just to say them sparks life. I love driving at sunset, windows down and radio up. The colors of the sky, the wind in my face, the melodies of the songs allow me for a few short minutes to take a deep breath. I gain perspective. God rules. When all is said and done, his purposes and his plans will be accomplished. In those thoughts, my anxieties and worries dissipate and peace comes. The story today is wild illustration of the life giving power of God. God chooses in a dramatic way to remind the people of Israel that he rules over everything, including life an

Declared Right

"Brothers, listen! In this man Jesus there is forgiveness for your sins. Everyone who believes in him is freed from all guilt and declared right with God -- something the Jewish law could never do." Acts 13:38-39 As all the rest of the potential jurors were being interviewed by the defense and the prosecution, I tried to keep my mind occupied. I imagined the scene of the defendant's arrest and how his attorney was going to try to present a case for his innocence. I then thought about what this newly formed jury would decide. As it turns out ... guilty. In our verses for the day, Paul speaks of the courtroom of heaven. He was telling the people that their trip before the divine judge didn't have to end with a guilty verdict. He assumed they all knew they had done wrong -- "...your sins." He tells them the turning point of the trial is what they (what we) do with the person of Jesus. Belief in him results in forgiveness, freedom and the declaration, "Not

Healing

"Peter traveled from place to place to visit the believers, and in his travels he came to the Lord's people in the town of Lydda. There he met a man named Aeneas, who had been paralyzed and bedridden for eight years. Peter said to him, 'Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you! Get up and make your bed!' And he was healed instantly. Then the whole population of Lydda and Sharon turned to the Lord when they saw Aeneas walking around."  Acts 9:32-35 I'll never forget the incredible relief and gratitude I felt when the dry sockets from my wisdom teeth removal finally healed. For nearly two weeks, I was either in  excruciating  pain or a foggy daze from pain medications. I couldn't think straight, carry on normal conversations or function at my job. Absolute misery. Healing, of any kind, is truly a moment of a celebration and liberation.  Aeneas understood and appreciated healing in a way that was far more extensive than mine. Eight years he languished in bed. No doubt

Words

"Kind words are like honey -- sweet to the soul and healthy for the body." Proverbs 16:24 Every once in awhile, I make a point to really listen to myself speak. Regardless of the context, there are times that I startle myself with what I say. On the average, they roll out okay. However, there are times when I need to tell myself most emphatically to just "Shut up!" The writer of the Proverb for the day noted this in a poetic way. Kind words are received like honey. They are sweet and they are nourishing for both the soul and body. Isn't that remarkable that words can reach both the material and the immaterial part of us. That's some really powerful stuff. Today, we will speak thousands and thousands of words. Will they encourage, build-up and honor those who hear them. Or, will our words cut, belittle and disrespect the people with whom we do life? Remember this truth as you consider your words. The sweet and healthy blessing of kind words falls on both the

Power

"The Jews insisted, 'We have a law, and according to that law he must die, because he claimed to be the Son of God.' When Pilate heard this, he was even more afraid, and he went back inside the palace. 'Where do you come from?' he asked Jesus, but Jesus gave him no answer. 'Do you refuse to speak to me?' Pilate asked. 'Don't you realize I have power to either free you or to crucify you?' Jesus answered, 'You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above. Therefore the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin."  John 19:7-11 Feeling more than a little embarrassed as I handed my license and registration to the police officer, I wished I had been more attentive to what I was doing. Fortunately, he decided to give me a warning. Perhaps, it was the sight of my cute little girls sound asleep in the back that warmed his heart. I don't know for sure, but I am thankful that he didn't use his state giv

Restlessness

"Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."  Matthew 11:28-30 The night dragged on and on as the clock seemed to move in slow motion. I couldn't sleep, inconsolably restless over a disturbing series of events. There was an unsettling absence of a clear path. I was surrounded by a thick fog of confusion, hurt, and unanswered questions. I was looking for some serious divine intervention. Thankfully, it came. As Jesus spoke to the crowd gathered in our verses for the day, they were also lacking in the peace department. They were restless and Jesus knew it. It was a restlessness that went far deeper than one too many cups of coffee. It was soul deep. Big questions haunted them. Patterns of failure stalked them. Jesus' antidote was not a pill, a program, or a paradigm shift. It wa

Success

"David continued to succeed in everything he did, for the Lord was with him. When Saul recognized this, he became even more afraid of him. But all Israel and Judah loved David because he was so successful at leading his troops into battle." I Samuel 18:14-16 The other day I was attempting a car repair. One of my offspring had located a mailbox with the side view mirror of the car. Initial attempts to reattach said mirror were unsuccessful and a complete removal/replacement was needed. Nearly an hour into the project, the new mirror was solidly attached and shouts of joy ensued when the power button actually moved the mirror --- success!! Our verses today reveal that David was a very successful guy ... "in everything he did." He was a leader. He was an inspiration to warriors. Those he protected and served loved him. His enemy feared him. The secret to his success? "The Lord was with him." He was God's man following God's lead for God's glory. I

Only

Then Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, spoke up. 'There's a young boy here with five barley loaves and two fish. But what good is that with this huge crowd?' 'Tell everyone to sit down,' Jesus ordered. So all of them - the men alone numbered five thousand - sat down on the grassy slopes. Then Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks to God, and passed them out to the people. Afterward he did the same with the fish. And they all ate until they were full. 'Now gather the leftovers,' Jesus told his disciples, 'so that nothing is wasted.' There were only five barley loaves to start with, but twelve baskets were filled with the pieces of bread the people did not eat!"  John 6:8-13   Looking at all the other kids trying out for the basketball team, it didn't take me long to realize that the "A" team was out of the question. I was only so tall, only so fast, and could jump only so high. It didn't help that my shooting and dribbling skills

Searching

“There was a man named Nicodemus, a Jewish religious leader who was a Pharisee. After dark one evening, he came to speak with Jesus. 'Rabbi,' he said, 'we all know that God has sent you to teach us. Your miraculous signs are evidence that God is with you.' Jesus replied, 'I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God.'"  John 3:1-3   I've come to truly appreciate this smart phone I carry around. When used properly, in content and duration, it can be a terrific tool. One of the benefits includes finding answers to questions that come up in everyday conversations. Just insert the inquiry into one of the smart phone search engines and voila', answers at your fingertips! I love that. Seeking and finding. Nicodemus was a kindred spirit. He'd been watching Jesus. Apparently, very closely. He knew about his miracles. He connected them to God. He also knew where Jesus was hanging out after the sun went down. Soon, he

With Us

“The angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon and said, 'Mighty warrior, the Lord is with you!' 'Sir,' Gideon replied, if the Lord is with us, why has all this happened to us? And where are all the miracles our ancestors told us about? Didn't they say, 'The Lord brought us up out of Egypt'? But now the Lord has abandoned us and handed us over to the Midianites.'"  Judges  6:12-13   Some of the most heartbreaking stories I hear are of those who come home one day only to find out that their spouse is gone. Their pain is palpable as they testify to the unexpected and unwanted demise of their marriage and family. The lonliness and abandonment they feel send a cold shudder down my spine as I imagine walking that miserable path.  A similarly hopeless and defeated spirit engulfed Gideon as he pondered on the sorry condition of his nation. The people of Israel abandoned their pursuit of God and were experiencing the devastating consequences. Gideon, even in the

Hopes and Dreams

“Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a dream fulfilled is a tree of life."  Proverbs  13:12   A friend recently shared that he had been praying for something for thirty years. He earnestly pleaded with God for a breakthrough in some unbearable circumstances. For all those years, God stayed his hand. His heart was sick, but unmoved from a place of complete trust in God. When all seemed lost, when it appeared more foolish than faithful to keep on praying, God stepped in and moved the mountain. The writer of today's proverb knew the heartbreak of unmet hopes. Those moments we want something so bad we ache and it just doesn't happen leaving us shattered trying to pick up the pieces.  He knew also the invigoration of realized dreams. The pure  exhilaration of a realized vision, calling, deeper than deep yearning that takes us to heights we didn't even know existed.  Interestingly, both  share the center stage of this crazy thing called life.  Perhaps, both serve God'

The Center

“Now when Joshua was near Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing in front of him with a drawn sword in his hand. Joshua went up to him asked, 'Are you for us or for our enemies?' 'Neither,' he replied. 'but as commander of the army of the Lord I have now come.' Then Joshua fell face down to the ground in reverence, and asked him, 'What message does my Lord have for his servant?'" Joshua  5:13-14   Kids are great. The textures of life expand exponentially once they make their grand entrance into our lives. However, we notice very quickly, from moment one, they view life from the "the world revolves around me" perspective. Feed me. Change me. Hold me. Bounce me. You know the drill. As we get a little older, we're a touch more subtle but the underlying current of me, myself and I still flows freely. In this odd encounter with God's army commander, Joshua was reminded of the need to adjust his perspective. On the threshold of his

Wise Words

“Some people make cutting remarks, but the words of the wise bring healing." Proverbs  12:18     The undeniable truth about words is that once they leave our mouth, there is no way to take them back. What is said cannot be unsaid. I sure wish I could go back and "unsay" many things. I've spoken in anger, in frustration, disappointment and hurt. What about you? On the flip side, I have received my share of ugly words as well. It doesn't feel good at all. Is there any hope for us?     The writer of this Proverb made these same observations thousands of years ago. Those who say the Bible has nothing to say about living today simply are not reading it. He contrasts cutting or wounding words with healing words. He reveals the secret between speaking one kind and not the other ... wisdom. A person of wisdom is positioned to speak healing words.   Which type of words are the pattern in your life? How can we mature in wisdom so that we are speaking words of healing far m

One Shining Moment

“'You go and listen to what the Lord our God says. Then come and tell us everything he tells you, and we will listen and obey.' 'The Lord heard your request and said to me, 'I have heard what the people have said to you, and they are right. Oh, that they would always have hearts like this, that they might fear me and obey all my commands! If they did, they and their descendants would prosper forever.'" Deuteronomy 5:27-29  Do you remember your one shining moment ... that moment where everything in the world was right all at the same time? When I scored the winning goal in my sixth grade soccer championship game in overtime, all was good. Those few minutes were some of the greatest in my life. It may be a family memory, an adventure of some kind, or the breakthrough of an insurmountable obstacle. Somewhere, sometime, you stood on top of the world.  The people of Israel had a propensity to wander. The firm hand of discipline fell on them again and again. But not

With a Word

"Jesus cut him short. 'Be quiet! Come out of the man,' he ordered. At that, the demon threw the man to the floor as the crowd watched; then it came out of him without hurting him further. Amazed, the people exclaimed, 'What authority and power this man's words possess! Even evil spirits obey him, and they flee at his command!" Luke 4:35-36 Two of the men whose words have impacted me deeply are with Jesus now, but their influence on my life remains in full effect. One taught me what it means to work ... harder, longer and until someone else says to stop. The other continually spoke of God's magnitude and the privilege of his children to dream big dreams and to follow him into their realization. Those who followed Jesus around were afforded the privilege of being immersed in the very words of God. Words of power. Words of healing. Words of deliverance. Words of hope. Words of instruction. Words of rebuke. Words of life. Peter, even in the face of everything

Visiting

“Praise the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has visited his people and redeemed them. He has sent us a mighty Savior from the royal line of his servant David, just as he promised through his holy prophets long ago." Luke 1:68-70 Visiting people is something we're all familiar with. We love when people come and visit us. We share life, build friendships and just laugh together. Life is meant to be shared. It's meant to be celebrated. Visiting gives us that opportunity. When we either leave someone else's home or they ours, we feel a fullness in our hearts.    Zechariah was no different. Jesus showed up at his doorstep, a welcome visitor. He was only an infant at the time, but nevertheless there he was. Zechariah came alive. He couldn't contain himself so he just started praising. "Here he is! Our Savior! It's happening exactly the way God told us it would!" He celebrated his promise keeping God. His soul came alive. This visit from Jesus fueled the

Whining

“Moses heard all the families standing in the doorways of their tents whining, and the Lord became extremely angry. Moses was also very aggravated." Numbers  11:10 When our children were very young, we established our home as a "No Whining Zone". Violators were immediately removed from the rest of the family and placed into the whining chair in the corner of the next room. When they were done whining, they could return to the family. At no time did we ever acknowledge them when they were whining much less give in to them ... straight to the whiner's chair.    The problem of whining, as we see in our verse for the day, did not originate with my family. God's people were also infected with the virus. God refused to put up with up it. His discipline was swift and severe. Whining is simply unacceptable. It reveals an ungrateful and self-centered attitude that ultimately ruins a person. Love moves swiftly to address it.  As adults, we become more subtle at whining. We

Leadership

“So Jesus called them together and said, 'You know that in this world kings are tyrants, and officials lord it over the people beneath them. But among you it should be quite different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be the slave of all. For even I, the Son of Man, came here not to be served but to serve others, and to give my life as a ransom for many.'" Mark 10:42-45 I've never enjoyed working for someone who took pleasure in bossing people around. I've been yelled at and falsely accused. I even had one who angrily kicked my trashcan across the room. I can only assume it was an attempt to intimidate me. These are scenes that are not unique to me or our time in history as we see in our verses for the day.  The disciples were trying to position themselves at the top of the pecking order. They were losing sight of the perfect picture of leadership they witnessed every moment they were with Jesus. He nee

Brevity

“Lord, remind me how brief my time on earth will be. Remind me that my days are numbered, and that my life is fleeing away. My life is no longer than the width of my hand. An entire lifetime is just a moment to you; human existence is but a breath. ... And so, Lord, where do I put my hope? My only hope is in you."  Psalm 39:4-5, 7 After waiting on hold for who knows how long and finally getting my question asked and answered, I said to myself, "Well, that's a part of my life I'll never get back." It's frustrating to see precious moments consumed by something not nearly as precious. I have noticed, however, that, by and large, I'm much less discerning of wasted time than I ought to be. David made it a point to ask God to remind him of life's brevity. David did not want to fall victim to the illusion of timelessness on this side of eternity. For David, the reality of a fast approaching end provided a deep motivation to tightly focus his life in one dire

Compassion

“A man with leprosy came and knelt in front of Jesus, begging to be healed. 'If you are willing, you can heal me and make me clean,' he said. Moved with compassion, Jesus reached out and touched him. 'I am willing,' he said. 'Be healed!' Instantly the leprosy disappeared, and the man was healed."  Mark 1:40-42 I have very few vivid memories from preschool age to early grade school. I do, however, have one very strong memory while on a field trip as a kindergartner. The road the bus traveled was hilly and curvy. My motion sickness began to kick in big time. I felt awful and all I wanted was my mom. One of the teachers could see I wasn't doing well at all. She joined me on my seat, pulled me close and kept me company while the other kids poured out of the bus. I felt safe, cared for, and loved. The leper who came to Jesus believed he could heal him. The only question was, "Would he be willing to do it?" It's at this moment where an internal