Unwavering Prayer

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This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him. I John 5:14-15 NIV

When was the last time you had a bit of hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia? It may have been in your church’s small group when you were asked to read some passage in the Old Testament, such as Nehemiah 10-12. So, what is this word? It is the runner-up in the English language for the honor of the longest word and literally means, “a fear of long words.”

Technically, this very long word describing a fear of long words is not recognized as a phobia in psychology, nor is it considered a medical term. It is used humorously to show how ridiculously long some words can get.

Words have often been created to enhance someone’s self-importance or to complicate the meaning of something, leaving us with a word that professionals have to define. I think prayer is often put into that category, leaving many people to doubt what to pray for, how to pray, or even whether they are worthy to pray.

Luke records the one request of Jesus’ disciples to him, “Teach us to pray.” His disciples had been with Jesus for some time and had witnessed supernatural healings, feeding of the masses, walking on water, turning water into wine, listened to spellbinding teaching, and seen the impact on the people. Instead of asking for the gift of healing, teaching, preaching, or any other amazing action, they asked him how to pray.

Prayer was the very essence of Jesus’ life. His prayer life wasn’t like that of the other religious leaders the disciples had seen and heard. Jesus’ prayer life was filled with joy, hope, faith, and power. When Jesus prayed, things happened, people changed, and miracles unfolded.

Jesus taught the intimacy of prayer in Matthew. Instead of a formal and cold approach to God, he told us to begin with “Our Father.”  We are told to approach God the way a child goes to a loving father, as a loved one of the Father.

Jesus taught us to be persistent in prayer. “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.” (Matthew 7:7-8) Prayer was never intended to be a one-and-done deal but an active conversation with the One who could make a difference. When do you stop praying? Never! Jesus illustrated in Luke 18 with the parable of the persistent widow. “Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.” (v1)

Jesus modeled His passion for prayer. When facing major decisions, he didn’t consult a committee, read the latest polls, or follow the cultural trend; you found him praying. “One of those days, Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray and spent the night praying to God. When morning came, he called his disciples to him and chose twelve of them, whom he also designated apostles.” (Luke 6:12-13)

Jesus prayed even when he didn’t get the answer he wanted. When facing his greatest challenge, he prayed. Jesus and his disciples went to a place called Gethsemane, and he asked his three closest companions to join him in prayer. “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.” He then walked a few steps away and cried out, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will…He went away a second time and prayed, “My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.” (Matthew 26:38ff)

Oswald Chambers is best known for his devotional writings, especially My Utmost For His Highest. Yet if Chambers were alive, he would probably say that prayer defined everything about his devotional life. He wrote, “Prayer is the battle; it is a matter of indifference where you are. Whichever way God engineers circumstances, the duty is to pray. Never allow the thought— I am of no use where I am;  because you certainly can be of no use where you are not. Wherever God has dumped you down in circumstances pray… I will do whatever you ask in my name. We won’t pray unless we get thrills, that is the intensest form of spiritual selfishness. We have to labor along the line of God’s direction, and He says Pray.”  (Chambers, My Utmost For His Highest, p215)

I had the privilege of leading a prayer walking seminar during our time in Kenya. I emphasized that we would be walking and praying, but I stressed the need always to be sensitive to where the Holy Spirit was leading. I began to doubt that the man I was walking with had understood the concept since it was new to many of them. We stopped to greet a lady, and he turned to ask me to share the Gospel with her. This isn’t what you do on a prayer walk! I did share the Gospel, and she prayed to receive Christ as her Savior. A little further down the road, we stopped again, this time at a woman’s vegetable stand. She was a believer, but life had been hard. She needed someone to encourage her and pray with her.

We continued to walk and pray. I realized that he had caught the concept, but the Holy Spirit reminded me of what I had taught only a short while before: you have to be interruptible, not on a schedule.

There are times when we must withdraw to our prayer closet and be alone with God. In these times, we are pouring out our needs to God in the secret place of our hearts. However, our time in our secret place of prayer must come to an end as we move into our day. So, what do we do with Paul’s admonition, “Pray without ceasing?” (1 Thes 5:17) We go into our day, praying as we go.

God is great!

Unwavering Faith

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Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for. By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible. Hebrews 11:1-3 NIV

What does faith really look like for you? We often say we have faith, yet we cling to something that we hope will ensure the outcome we want. “There is a significant difference between amazement and faith. You can be amazed by God while not actually putting your faith in him.”  (Paul David Tripp)

Faith may look like the classic illustration of the Little League baseball game when a man walking past asked one of the players what the score was. The boy brightly smiled and said, 18 to 0, we’re behind. The man replied, You must be very discouraged. No, sir, said the young player, we haven’t even been up to bat yet! Unless the young player knew his team was loaded with a lineup of star hitters, the chance of victory was slim.

Unfortunately, many will say they have faith but will “hedge their bet” by holding onto something else in the hope of ensuring the outcome they want. I have faith Google Maps will get me to my destination until it takes me into the middle of nowhere, and we are entirely lost. I have faith that my airline will get me to my destination on time, until all the planes are grounded because the company declared bankruptcy. (Which happened when flying Braniff years ago.) I have faith that I will ace my finals, yet I will not put in the time to study the materials that will be on the exam.

You expect to find stories of unwavering faith in the Bible, and you do. Joseph was sold into slavery, falsely accused and imprisoned, yet at the end he could say, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.” (Gen 50:20) Daniel’s three friends would be handed a “get out of jail” pass if only they bowed down in worship to King Nebuchadnezzar. They chose the furnace and possibly death with the declaration that though God could save them, “But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.” (Daniel 3:18) Mark tells us of a nameless woman who had nothing but faith that she would be healed. “If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed.” (Mark 5:28)

Faith is only as reliable as the foundation on which it exists. Airlines do go bankrupt, Google Maps may be reliable, but not infallible, and typically, effort precedes success. Unwavering faith built on anything other than God will leave you stranded. “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.” (Hebrews 10:23)

The writer of Hebrews left us the beautiful gift of chapter 11 as a monument of unwavering faith. Verse after verse beginning with “By faith” followed by names of men and women who lived a life of unwavering faith, even though I am sure life did not turn out the way they envisioned. “These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised.” (Heb 11:39)

“The life of faith is about standing at the intersection of brokenness and longing, not questioning God’s presence, power, or goodness, but continuing to trust and obey, assured that he still rules and is marching his world toward the fullness of all he has promised. Do you struggle to wait? God meets you with empowering grace.” (Paul David Tripp)

Scripture is alive with stories of unwavering faith, yet God never intended it to be in the past tense only, but lived out daily by His followers. I had the joy of experiencing this truth over the last couple of weeks in Kenya during a mission trip to Eldoret’s Glory Baptist Church.

Traveling over rough roads, sleeping on 4” mats on the church floor, women came from Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda to be part of Glory Baptist Church’s women’s conference. These ladies came with a hunger for God’s word. Each morning, they would get up at 3:30 to be ready for a 4:30 time of prayer and worship, seeking God with all their hearts, minds, and souls. No pretense, simply unwavering faith.

Ethnic violence broke out after the disputed presidential election in December 2007, resulting in the death of many Kenyans. Yet as violence raged around the church, Pastor Martin Sikuku created a safe haven at the church, praying and trusting God to place a hedge around the church. Though every structure, including his own house, surrounding the church was destroyed, Glory Baptist remained untouched, providing that safe haven for many as Pastor Martin provided care to any who came, regardless of tribe or political allegiance,  as a testimony of unwavering faith.

Unwavering faith defines the story of Bernard Wafula. This gentle giant of faith was falsely accused and imprisoned. Though despair and hopelessness could be understood, he trusted in God’s faithfulness and served diligently, sharing the Gospel with other inmates and guards. The words of a song came to him one night based on Deut. 1:4-8, when God told Israel, You have stayed long enough, I have given you this land. Imetosha is Swahili for “It is enough.”  For Pastor Bernard, “God is enough,” and he would sing this song until He became known as Pastor Imetosha throughout the prison.

Imetosha x2 (It is enough)

Yesu Asema Mwanangu Imetosha (Jesus says it is enough, my child)

Geuka sasa uelekee Kanani (Turn around now towards Canaan)

Ukazione Baraka zake Mungu (So that you see the blessings of God)

Finally, the courts overturned his wrongful conviction and released him from prison after ten years of imprisonment. He now serves as a pastor.

Unwavering faith will be the key to changing the course of our world. Faith that allows you to reach across ethnic barriers, economic disparity, political disagreements, and social status because your trust is found in the One who is the source of faith. “But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing the LORD’s praise, for he has been good to me.” Psalm 13:5-6

God is great!

The Mind of the Discerning

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Let a wise person listen and increase learning, and let a discerning person obtain guidance. Proverbs 1:5 NIV

What is the one distinguishing trait needed to succeed in today’s workplace? I am sure you could mention a long list of possibilities. They may include graduating from a top-tier university, family connections, influence network, academic excellence, personality characteristics or just plain luck.  They may be a mixture of these or any one of a thousand others. CEO Michael’s observation is that the best employees consistently share one trait, “intellectual curiosity.”

Insatiable curiosity sets apart the greatest leaders from everyone else. Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates is known for his voracious reading habit. Google recruiter Nolan Church said, “What continuous learners do is they connect old ideas in new ways, citing Apple co-founder Steve Jobs’s decision to combine cell phones and iPods into an iPhone. One of Indeed CEO Chris Hyams’ favorite interview questions is, “What are you insanely curious about?” Or, alternatively, “What do you care deeply about?” (Info from an Ashton Jackson article)

Scripture would validate Ramlet’s one trait, “intellectual curiosity,” not for workplace acclamation, but for living life that ultimately leads to Kingdom impact.  “ The mind of the discerning acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks it.” Prov 18:15

Scripture celebrates continuous learning as a gift that deepens our relationship with God and enriches our daily life. Our growth in God’s knowledge creates a hunger in us to know more of what God is doing in and around us. “For the LORD gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.” Prov 2:6

We read about Daniel and his friends in a foreign land, far from home, having been taken captive by the Babylonians. Daniel had a choice to either take the easy path and adapt to his captors’ ways or stay true to God. He chose the more difficult path, staying true to God and His ways.  His passion for God and his commitment to grow in knowledge set him apart.  “In every matter of wisdom and understanding that the king consulted them about, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and mediums in his entire kingdom. Daniel remained there until the first year of King Cyrus.”  Daniel 1:20-21

Joshua when facing the difficult challenges of assuming the leadership role after Moses’ death was told by God to be strong and courageous. How? “ To observe carefully the whole instruction.” God’s word provides us with the “why” that lets us do the “how.”  “This book of instruction must not depart from your mouth; you are to meditate on it day and night so that you may carefully observe everything written in it. For then you will prosper and succeed in whatever you do.” Joshua 1:8

We are encouraged to grow in knowledge, not for personal affirmation or even success but to be transformed into godly people that will make an impact for the Kingdom. “But as for you, continue in what you have learned and firmly believed. You know those who taught you, and you know that from infancy you have known the sacred Scriptures, which are able to give you wisdom for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.” 2 Timothy 3:14-15

Let this traditional African saying on wisdom encourage you in your pursuit of continuous curiosity. “Wisdom is the finest beauty of a person.  Money does not prevent you from becoming blind. Money does not prevent you from becoming mad. Money does not prevent you from becoming lame. You may be ill in any part of your body, so it is better for you to go and think again and to select wisdom. Come and sacrifice, that you may have rest in your body, inside and out.”

”Get wisdom—how much better it is than gold! And get understanding—it is preferable to silver.” Proverbs 16:16

If the number one trait for the best employee is intellectual curiosity then out of our passion for God, we never want to stop growing in our knowledge and truth.  We will learn lots from the books we read, the people we interact with, and even our Google searches.  However, God has provided us His unlimited and available wisdom. Knowledge and information are great but the wisdom God provides is life changing.  “Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God—who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly—and it will be given to him.” James 1:5

We arrive today after three weeks in Kenya. It has been an incredible journey walking with the folks in Eldoret, Kenya. God is working in some amazing ways and we are so thankful to be part of this community of faith. I plan on sharing in next week’s post a few insights from this time.

God is great!

 

 

 

 

Burning Bush Moments

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There, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire out of a bush; he looked, and the bush was blazing, yet it was not consumed. Then Moses said, “I must turn aside and look at this great sight.” Exodus 3:2-3

How many times have you desired to have a burning bush experience? If only I could have a burning bush answer, I would know what to do next. Making hard decisions is never easy. There is a lot of inner turmoil just trying to figure out what to do, or how to do it, or whether it is right for me. You look at multiple options and finally narrow it down to what you think is best. Then you may live with the “only if” questioning for days, months, or maybe years. Burning bush clarity sounds good, but there is a cost to burning bush experiences. Just ask Moses!

Burning bushes will necessitate worship.

You can’t play religion if you want to get close to the burning bush. You can be curious and “turn aside and look.” You can ponder why the bush is not burned up, but burning bushes require you to “remove the sandals from your feet.” Religious people tend to find the closest fire extinguisher to put out the fire. You worship at the burning bush because you know “the place on which you are standing is holy ground.”

Burning bushes create questions.

“Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh, and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?” God welcomes questions; the more the better. Samuel asked, “How can I go? Saul will kill me. (1 Samuel 16:2)   Mary asked, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?” (Luke 1:34) Peter knew enough to question, “By no means, LORD; for I have never eaten anything that is profane or unclean.” (Acts 10:14) Questions will come at your burning bush, but the Samuels of this world go, the Marys of this world obey, and the reluctant Peters follow.

Burning bushes destroy the edges of one’s comfort zone.

“I have never been eloquent…I am slow of speech and slow of tongue.” Comfort zone living is a lot easier. We can be content in the world we know and don’t have to push the edges. Yet somehow God doesn’t see our self-limitations. So, you don’t think you can speak? God has the answer: “Now go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you are to speak.”

Burning bushes will burn away the undergrowth of yesterday’s failures

“When Pharaoh heard of it, he sought to kill Moses.” You may have lived the high life, studied at the best schools, had an unlimited bank account, but you blew it – a nasty divorce, a horrendous scandal, a horrible financial mistake. Guess what? God calls your name and gives you another job. God reminds you: I think I can handle your past!

Burning bushes does have a cost.

“Moses took his wife and his sons, put them on a donkey, and went back to the land of Egypt.” Jethro felt the loneliness as his son-in-law, daughter, and grandsons left home. Hannah cried as she left little Samuel at the temple. Jesus’ body, torn to shreds and nailed to the cross, cried out in agony, “It is finished.” Yes, there is a cost when you respond to God’s call in your life, yet God never leaves you nor forsakes you.

Burning bushes do make a difference.

“God wants to lead us. Not all the ways of humans are God’s leading. For a long time, we can walk our own paths. On those, we are pawns of coincidence, whether they bring good luck or misfortune. Our own ways always lead in a circle back to ourselves. But when God leads our ways, they guide us to him. God’s ways guide us to God. God leads us through happiness and unhappiness always and only towards God. In this, we recognize God’s ways.” –Dietrich Bonhoeffer.

We are encouraged by scripture’s burning bush examples of Moses leading a nation out of slavery, Esther saving her people from mass annihilation, David standing in front of a giant to unite a nation, and Jesus standing at the front of an empty tomb declaring victory over death!

God-inspired burning bushes fill the pages of history. Shoe cobbler William Carey’s passion for the unreached nations fueled the modern missionary movement. William Wilberforce’s faith awakened him from a life of leisure to champion justice for the enslaved. Preacher Martin Luther King, Jr burned with a dream for equality. Mother Teresa grieved for the burden of the poorest of the poor. Businessman Jeremiah Lanphier’s simple prayer, “Lord, what would you have me do?” led to the prayer revival of 1857, resulting in the Third Great Spiritual Awakening.

You may be facing a burning bush moment in your life – a time when God is trying to get your attention. Maybe your burning bush will not be as dramatic, but you will have your own burning bush. Like Moses, you are drawn to the burning bush. You have to decide to run away or “Remove the sandals from your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.”

“May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all.” (2 Cor 13:14)

God is great!

Connie and I are in Kenya on a mission trip with our church. Reposting this devotion from 2022, I realize we are constantly confronted with burning bush experiences and must decide to obey.

Walking Billboards for Jesus

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The LORD spoke to Moses, saying: Speak to all the congregation of the people of Israel and say to them: You shall be holy, for I, the LORD your God, am holy. Leviticus 19:1-2

Leviticus – the third book in the Bible, which many try to speed read on their way through their “Read the Bible in a year” plan. However, if and when we slow down in our reading, we realize that “Be holy, for I am Holy” is at the heart of Leviticus. We come face to face with the holiness of God.  If your church still has hymnals, pick up one and let the words of this great hymn, “Holy, Holy, Holy,” speak to your heart in a new and fresh way.

Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty!

Early in the morning our song shall rise to thee:

Holy, holy, holy, merciful and mighty!

God in three Persons, blessed Trinity!

Leviticus is not usually read as good news, and most certainly not in the context of how the world now determines what is a modern, culturally acceptable worldview. However, J. A. Motyer looks at Leviticus differently. He writes, “Leviticus is good news. It is good news for sinners who seek pardon, for priests who need empowering, for women who are vulnerable, for the unclean who covet cleansing, for the poor who yearn for freedom, for the marginalized who seek dignity, for animals that demand protection, for families that require strengthening, for communities that want fortifying and for creation that stands in need of care. All these issues, and more, are addressed in a positive way in Leviticus.”

Spend some time meditating upon chapters 18 and 19 in Leviticus. Try reading these verses as one who seeks God, treating life as holy, and allowing God to have control of your life. At the heart of each requirement is the holiness of God in the life of his people, a people set apart from the world. Culture no longer determines the standards; only God does.

As you read these two chapters, mentally or literally, create two columns. At the top of the columns, title one “God’s values” and the other “Human Values.”  It doesn’t take long to realize God’s values and human values are worlds apart.

Augustine wrote that “The LORD himself not only shows us the evil we are to avoid and the good we are to do (which is all that the letter of the law can do) but also helps us to avoid evil and to do good things that are impossible without the spirit of grace. If grace is lacking, the law is there simply to make culprits and to slay; for this reason, the Apostle said, “The letter kills, but the Spirit gives life” (2 Corinthians 3:6)”

Unfortunately, chapters 18 and 19 are not a Golden Corral buffet of principles. We don’t get to go through the line choosing what we like and leaving out the others. It can be so easy to pick a verse and sling it at someone, yet at the same time, avoid verses we would prefer to overlook. The problem is that God didn’t give us a choice. Each requirement interlocks with the others, forming a strong family, church, community, and culture.

Leviticus’ requirements set the people apart from the other nations. Jesus would take the law and empower it with grace. “Christ came provided with the Holy Spirit after a peculiar manner…that he might separate us from the world, and unite us in the hope of an eternal inheritance.”—John Calvin.

Living a life set apart from the world requires God’s grace. Our focus shifts from the world to God. Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote that “Your life as a Christian should make non-believers question their disbelief in God.”

New Orleans Saints linebacker Demario Davis won the 2021 NFL Bart Starr Award for outstanding character, integrity, and leadership on and off the field. His wife, Tamela, told the Christian Post, “Our primary mission has always been to be a walking billboard for Christ, so that others may be able to see and encounter Him through us and our experiences.”

Undoubtedly, Leviticus is a challenging book with some difficult passages, yet what a difference when our heartbeat is that of being holy. Take some time in prayer and reflect on where you are in light of God’s values. What will it take to restore and empower you to live a life set apart for God? Thomas Kelly wrote, “It is said of St. Francis not merely that he prayed, but that he became a prayer.”

Maybe in a world that is growing indifferent to God’s message, the best way we can reflect a different image is to become “walking billboards for Christ,” or as Jesus said, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.” –Matthew 16:24

God is great!

Connie and I are on a mission trip to Kenya. This is a reprint from several years ago, but I thought it was appropriate for all that is happening in the world.

Update from Kenya. What a blessing the last few days have been working with Glory Baptist Church in Eldoret.  Women and men’ s conferences, children day camp, prayer walk and a wonderful day of worship.

Turn the Spotlight on Me

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As your spiritual teacher I, by the grace God gave me, give this advice to each one of you. Don’t cherish exaggerated ideas of yourself or your importance but try to have a sane estimate of your capabilities by the light of the faith that God has given to you all. For just as you have many members in one physical body and those members differ in their functions, so we, though many in number, compose one body in Christ and are all members to one another. Romans 12:3-5 Phillips Translation

Where would Batman be without Robin? How would Sherlock Holmes solve murder cases without Dr. Watson? What would have happened to the Winslow family without their nerdy neighbor, Steve Urkel? Andy Griffin needed his Barney Fife, Cheers wouldn’t have been the same without Frasier, and mischievous Uncle Fester spiced up the Addams Family.

Can you imagine a world without those iconic sidekicks? They are secondary characters who somehow ingrained themselves into our hearts and often stole the spotlight from the main character.  Playing second fiddle has never been easy and definitely goes against the most recent cultural phenomenon called “Main Character Syndrome.” The term didn’t originate from a university psychology department, but rather from social media, especially TikTok.

What is “Main Character Syndrome (MCS)?” It is not a clinical diagnosis but popularized by social media platforms. Anna Gotlib, an associate professor of philosophy, defines it as, “MCS is a tendency to view one’s life as a story in which one stars in the central role, with everyone else a side character at best. Only the star’s perspectives, desires, loves, hatreds, and opinions matter, while those of others in supporting roles are relegated to the periphery of awareness. Main characters act while everyone else reacts. Main characters demand attention, and the rest of us had better obey.” (Aeon Newsletter)

Though the term is a recent addition to our language, the concept is as old as time. Paul understood well the MCS of his days when writing in Romans, “Don’t cherish exaggerated ideas of yourself or your importance.” Today’s social media platforms feed the motivation to be adored and loved, but throughout time, the same motivation has been part of humanity.

The Old Testament is filled with MCS performers. King Saul stood head and shoulders above the average man, yet was filled with jealousy and suspicion. When the women came out to greet the King and his men after a battle, they were singing the newest hit song, “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands.” This didn’t go over well with King Saul since he “was very angry…They have credited David with tens of thousands, “he thought, “but me with only thousands. What more can he get but the kingdom?” (I Samuel 18:7-8)

King Nebuchadnezzar was a classic MCS and had every reason to be proud. He was the most powerful man at the time, leading the nation of Babylon to annihilate all opposition. Who could blame him when he proclaimed, “Is not this the great Babylon I have built as the royal residence, by my mighty power and for the glory of my majesty.” (Daniel 4:30) The King got a quick lesson on the reality of MCS when God removed him from center stage.

The challenge of spiritual MCS impacts even those who have walked with Jesus for years. James and John, two of his closest disciples, asked if they could take the two places of highest authority. They were so focused on the “me” factor that they forgot what it really meant to be the greatest. “Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.” (Mark 9:35)

The challenge of Main Character Syndrome doesn’t just impact the YouTubers, TikTokers, or being “Instagrammable.” It is for anyone who breathes air and gets out of bed in the morning. It is an even greater challenge for those who seek to follow God and make their life a reflection of their faith in Jesus. MCS is not a puzzle to solve but a lifestyle decision to bring constantly before God. “The most spiritually dangerous kind of idolatry is idolatry of the heart.” (Paul David Tripp). An idol of the heart is anything we let rule our hearts instead of God, especially ourselves.

British pastor Pete Greig writes, “Main Character Syndrome (MCS) has become a popular trope on social media, describing the tendency to project myself as the most important person in any encounter and perceive myself as the central character in the movie of my life. I acknowledge how often I talk without really listening, how subtly I try to control my own environment, and how secretly I prioritise my own personal feelings and preferences as more important than those of other people.”

Jesus understood we would all face the temptation to be on center stage, so he gave the disciples a great life lesson that applies to us. “He took a little child whom he placed among them. Taking the child in his arms, he said to them, “Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me.” (Mark 9:36-37). What could be a better example than a child who was powerless, with no authority, and yet fills every home with life and energy?

There is nothing wrong with being on center stage if it focuses on God first, which will then naturally include all others. “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” Philippians 2:3-4 NIV)

God is great!

 

 

The Intersection of Brokenness and Hope

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Photo by Thanh Thương Fycam

How long, LORD? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and day after day have sorrow in my heart? How long will my enemy triumph over me? Look on me and answer, LORD my God. Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death, and my enemy will say, “I have overcome him,” and my foes will rejoice when I fall. But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing the LORD’s praise, for he has been good to me. Psalm 13 NIV

Every major city has one. Every rural area has one. There are 15.8 million of them in the continental United States, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety report. What is that one? It is an intersection that can turn into a nightmare at a minute’s notice. There is one intersection that we want to avoid at all costs, even though we know that there are no viable options. We may live in a rural area and think we are safe; unfortunately, though the rural area represents 18% of the population, it accounts for 36% of the deadliest intersections. (Fang Law Firm)

If you have lived, been to, or visited Peachtree City, Georgia, you know that one intersection is 54/74; many of us have spent a thoughtful moment or two sitting there waiting to get through it! I assumed it would be number one on the list when I started writing this blog. However, it doesn’t even rank in the top tier of worst intersections. You know why? It’s not really that bad after all, since I have only had to sit for maybe a maximum of 15 minutes. What made it the worst? It’s the one I go through frequently.

You have your own intersections, maybe not in traffic, but in life. The intersection of brokenness and hope impacts every one of us in life, often every day. Since my last week’s blog post, a prominent activist voice was silenced by an assassin’s bullet, a young Ukrainian refugee was brutally stabbed on her way home from her Charlotte job, and a 16-year-old student carried a revolver and ammunition into the Evergreen High School and randomly started shooting students.

Charlie Kirk, Iryna Zarutska, and two high school students’ paths converged at the intersection of brokenness and hope. The junction of brokenness is devastating and almost impossible to get through. If we only followed the news stories, we would think that brokenness and devastation were the only intersecting roads. When Charlie Kirk was asked in an interview, “How do you want to be remembered?” Kirk answered, “I want to be remembered for courage for my faith, that would be the most important thing. The most important thing is my faith in my life.”

The intersection of devastation seemed to be the only road, yet during this same timeframe of devastation, I couldn’t miss the incoming flow of hope at the same intersection. We have a good friend who was able to ring the bell at the City of Hope Cancer Center. Around the world, there were thousands of people gathered in over 1,700 Prayer Rooms as part of the Global Week of Prayer to pray for the nations, communities, and leaders. I found hope even in the small joys of life, such as my grandkids going to the zoo.

I don’t mind coming to the intersection when I am driving on Hope, but brokenness is not where I want to be. Yet it is often at that intersection that I have come to understand more fully God’s love for me. Oswald Chambers said it well, “God takes you through a way that you temporarily do not understand. And it is only by going through the spiritual confusion that you will come to the understanding of what God wants for you.”

Peter in his opening remarks to the church in exile wrote, “To God’s elect, exiles scattered throughout the provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia, who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to be obedient to Jesus Christ and sprinkled with his blood: Grace and peace be yours in abundance.” (I Peter 1:1-2 NIV)

Izwe Nkosi commented on this passage about the contradiction of exile and elect in a recent Lectio podcast. Nkosi said, “I notice the contradiction in the lives of the community Peter is addressing—they are ‘elect’, but also ‘exiles”. Chosen by God, but living fragile, displaced lives. Being chosen by God doesn’t mean my life will be easy, or that everything will feel blessed and wonderful all the time. But this place of contradiction—living between the promise and the sometimes tough reality of life—is precisely the place where the Triune God is forming me so that, wherever I am, I will still know “grace and peace…in abundance.”

Life happens!  All of us will find ourselves at some intersection of brokenness and hope at some point. What will you do when you enter that intersection? Our life of faith may find us struggling for answers. It is easy to doubt the goodness of God when we find ourselves on the road of devastation; however, at that intersection is where we will discover God most present.

Out of the darkest valley, David was able to write, “Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.” (Psalm 23:6)

God, would you remind me moment by moment today, however I am feeling about myself or my life situation, that I am known and loved by You, and that right now, I am in the process of being formed and transformed by the Trinity, working in action together.

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13 NIV)

God is great!

 

 

Treasures of Wisdom

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Photo by John-Mark Smith

My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Colossians 2:2-3

“If you can’t explain it simply, you don’t understand it well enough.” I am not sure many students would agree with Albert Einstein’s quote while sitting in a physics class as the teacher tried to explain his revolutionary Theory of Relativity!

The story goes that someone once asked the Nobel Prize laureate who was the smartest person in his opinion. Without hesitation, Einstein replied, “My chauffeur.” One day, they were on their way to a conference, and Einstein said he was very tired. At that moment, the driver offered to give the talk since he knew it by heart from seeing it so many times. So, they exchanged clothes, and the chauffeur went up on stage. In a time without social media, people had heard of Einstein but hadn’t necessarily seen him. The driver delivered his talk perfectly, but during the question-and-answer session, a journalist posed a complex question about the theory of relativity. With great calm and cleverness, Einstein’s chauffeur in his role replied, “This question is so basic that even my chauffeur sitting there in the front row could answer it. Could you please come up and answer it?” Einstein, in his role as the chauffeur, stood up, brilliantly answered the question. After that, no one else wanted to ask anything.

There are lots of versions of this same folklore illustration, mixing myth with a grain of truth. An amusing version is one that the late Jerry Clower did years ago. I am not sure who took the illustration and applied it to Einstein, but it illustrates well the difference between information and wisdom.

Smart is being able to give answers that the brain needs, but wisdom is being able to give answers that the soul needs. The Bible describes two types of wisdom: worldly wisdom and Godly wisdom. Worldly wisdom gives you the right answer. However, it can cultivate envy and put selfish ambition above others. James writes,” Such ‘wisdom’ does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.” (James 3:15)

There is no question that we need the right answers, but answers given for the right reasons. Godly wisdom seeks to enhance others and places God in the forefront. “But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.” (James 3:17)

The Bible is filled with the stories of men and women who made a difference because of godly wisdom. Solomon normally pops into most people’s minds when they think of wisdom. The two key components that highlighted Solomon’s wisdom were that he asked for it, and God freely answered his request. (I Kings 3) Solomon knew that he had big shoes to fill following in the steps of his father, David. It would take extraordinary leadership to keep the kingdom together and daily lead the nation. You may not possess Solomon’s wisdom, but you have the same ability to receive. James reminds us that “if any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” (James 1:5)

There is not a specific day on the calendar that celebrates wisdom, but one that should come close was celebrated yesterday in the United States. It is more commonly known as Grandparents’ Day. I used the word, ‘should’ since grandparents were given an important task by God to tell the next generations. David wrote in the Psalms, “Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom. One generation commends your works to another; they tell of your mighty acts.” (Psalm 145:3-4)

There is one thing in common among grandparents, besides having grandchildren, and that is that they have lived a lot of years. In those years, you have experienced a lot of life lessons, some from good experiences and others not so good. Yet in all those lifetimes of stories comes knowledge, and, when mixed with godly wisdom, a new generation can grow stronger and deeper in their faith.

“Telling stories to my children that I was, in my turn, told by my parents and grandparents makes me feel part of something special and odd, part of the continuous stream of life itself.” Neil Gaiman

The responsibility of telling stories, especially those of God’s faithfulness throughout your life, will be the faith seeds planted that you may not get to witness with your own eyes, but will bear fruit for generations to come. “Only be careful and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them fade from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them.” (Deuteronomy 4:9)

Gray hair and years of life do not guarantee wisdom. However, if one has sought wisdom and lived “in the way of righteousness,” then the impact upon one’s children’s children is exponential. “Gray hair is a crown of splendor; it is attained in the way of righteousness.” (Prov 16:31).

We live in an age when data equivalent to a quarter-million Libraries of Congress are created every day. Massive data centers are being built around the world, consuming an ever-larger portion of natural resources simply to provide storage for more and more information. Yet on the same day, thousands of years of wisdom and knowledge are lost as those of a previous generation die. Jandy Nelson writes, “Each time someone dies, a library burns.”

Artificial Intelligence (AI) will provide us with a wealth of information; you simply ask, and you will have an abundance of facts and figures. You need to get your info, but never forget to always diligently seek the real treasure. “Blessed are those who find wisdom, those who gain understanding, for she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold.” (Proverbs 3:13-14)

God is great!

 

Labor Day – Honoring Workers

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Photo by Yury Kim

For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: “The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat.” We hear that some among you are idle and disruptive. They are not busy; they are busybodies. Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the food they eat. And as for you, brothers and sisters, never tire of doing what is good. 2 Thessalonians 3:10-13 NIV

Labor Day has undergone significant changes since Grover Cleveland signed the law on June 28, 1894, establishing the holiday. I doubt President Cleveland would have imagined that this one signature would become his most defining contribution to American history.

The working world has undergone massive shifts between 1894 and 2025. Agriculture no longer dominates as the number one employer; factories have closed, being replaced by the service industry. Technology and IT specialists are current hot specialties, but now every worker is facing a cosmic shift as AI starts to unravel the world of work.

Labor Day serves as an annual celebration of workers and their achievements, though many now only consider the day the end of summer. Labor Day had its roots during one of America’s more dismal seasons for workers. The average American worked 12-hour days, seven days a week, simply to make a basic living. Children, as young as 5 or 6, toiled in mills, factories, and mines across the country. The idea of a “workingmen’s holiday” began to take root as a greater number of workers left their farms and found work in factories, until finally, following the violent Pullman strike, which resulted in the deaths of more than a dozen workers, Labor Day was recognized.

President Cleveland could not have imagined the world of 2025; there are some days, neither can I. Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates says, “Artificial intelligence (AI) will ultimately render humans unnecessary for most things and predicts that this will happen very soon.”  In a recent podcast episode of Express Adda, Gates said, “No one was born to work. Jobs are a product of scarcity.”

Gates envisions a future where the traditional work model is obsolete, thanks to AI’s evolution. He argues that AI can provide for our needs, and work will cease to be a vital obligation. “For centuries, we worked to survive. Now, we must imagine what to do with our lives if work is no longer the condition for living.” (from an article by Diego Perez Morales)

God would most definitely disagree with Mr. Gates on his philosophy of “no one was born to work.” From the very beginning, God created work as a blessing, not as a scarcity model but as a way of value, dignity, and participation. Adam and Eve were not placed in the Garden of Eden to sit back and take it easy. God assigned them the task of caring for his creation, placing his trust in their care for his creation. From that trust came the dignity of work, the joy of seeing something completed, and ultimately, fellowship with God.

Work was never a punishment but a blessing and a privilege that God gave us. “I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food. And to all the beasts of the earth and all the birds in the sky and all the creatures that move along the ground—everything that has the breath of life in it—I give every green plant for food. And it was so.” Genesis 2:29-30

Howard Tucker doesn’t see work from a scarcity model. He holds the Guinness World Record for the oldest practicing doctor. At 102, the neurologist has been working in medicine for almost 80 years. In an interview with Today’s Show Al Roker on May 29, 2025, Dr. Tucker said, “Retirement, I think, is the enemy of longevity…You have to have some purpose in life and get up in the morning and know what you’re about…. It’s fun staying alive and working,” he said. “it’s delightful work. Every day I learn something new.” (Today Show, A. Pawlowski)

David Frank doesn’t see work from a scarcity model. Mr. Frank turned 100 last November and celebrated with friends, family, and co-workers on his job at the Windsor, Ontario Home Depot store, where he has worked for the last 23 years. He is officially the oldest Home Depot employee. Mr. Frank said, “Work is one of those good four-letter words, I like it.” He said he enjoys working in retail because “You get to meet the customers themselves, you hear their problems, and you get to help solve them.” (Millar Holmes-Hill, Windsor Star, Ontario)

Waldo McBurney wouldn’t have understood work from a scarcity model. Mr. McBurney worked until shortly before his death at the age of 106. McBurney was named “America’s Oldest Worker for 2006.”

We should be grateful that there is a special day set aside to honor workers. Labor Day recognizes the value and contribution that every kind of work gives to society, and as followers of Jesus, what is given to God. The kind of work is not important; the determination to face each day giving your best is what is important.

Plumber, electrician, lawyer, doctor, nurse, preacher, garbage collector, teacher, homemaker, software engineer, and the list goes on and on with the ultimate command that, “Whatever task you must do, work as if your soul depends on it, as for the Lord and not for humans.” (Col 3:23 NRSV)

“Dear God, today we honor laborers in our country, and I admit, many times I take them for granted. So thank you for reminding me that every worker I see—and even those who work behind the scenes—bear your image. They are valuable and worthy of respect. So today, Lord, would you bless the workers? Help them to see their value both for what they do and for who they are.

I pray for those who put their lives at risk to maintain infrastructures, climb tall electrical towers, service machinery that is dangerous. Protect them, Lord. Let them come home to their families each night.

And Lord, I pray for the employers and CEOs, those who make decisions about salaries and work conditions. I pray that you would help them to make wise decisions, not based on greed or worldly values, but on godly values. I know not everyone operates from that perspective, but I pray that you would begin to open their eyes. Help them to see that everything they enjoy comes from the hands of the workers.

Thank you, Lord, for honoring workers throughout Scripture. Give us your love for all people. Help us to celebrate them not only in our words, but in how we treat them every day, not just on Labor Day.

With respect and gratitude, I lift up this prayer for laborers today. In the name of Jesus. Amen.”(Abide-Stephanie Reeves)

Blessings on this Labor Day,

God is great!

 

 

 

 

 

Does It Really Matter?

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Does it really matter? Julie Felss Masino probably woke up this morning asking that question. If you don’t know, Masino is the CEO of Cracker Barrel, which made headlines this week after announcing the company’s plan to rebrand its 60-plus-year-old logo. Apparently, it matters to a lot of people, according to various social news outlets and the company’s declining market value.

‘Does it really matter’ type questions are a part of your everyday activities throughout your lives. Some questions and answers may have minimal impact on your life, but for others, the answer could be life-changing. For most people, the question, ‘Should I buy cotton candy at the State Fair?’ will have a simple answer, unless you happen to be diabetic! However, maybe in the scheme of life, a more important issue is thinking about, ‘It really did matter’.

Very few people know about John Harper, a simple man who loved God. I think Harper would have said, What you do really does matter. Harper, a widowed Scottish minister, along with his sister Jessie and his six-year-old daughter, Nan, decided that instead of sailing to the United States on the Lusitania, they would go a week later and purchase tickets for the maiden voyage of the Titanic, then the largest ship ever built. Harper was returning to the United States to preach a series of revivals at the Moody Church in Chicago.

Harper, along with all the passengers, was awakened during the night as the supposedly unsinkable Titanic hit an iceberg and was sinking. Harper made sure his sister and daughter were safe in a lifeboat, then he went about helping others. Amid the chaos, Harper’s calm and reassuring voice could be heard shouting, “Women, children, and the unsaved into the lifeboats!”  Until the final seconds of Harper’s life, when the cold and uninviting waters pulled him into eternity, he was pleading for those without Jesus to pray for salvation. Throughout the night, Harper had encouraged, comforted, and pleaded, even giving up his own life jacket to save others. John Harper knew what really mattered in life.

Nan and her aunt would be rescued. Nan would grow up in the home of John’s brother, George. His brother wrote of John, “My beloved brother was a man mighty in prayer. He was a master of this holy art. I have been with him in prayer again and again when his whole frame shook like an aspen leaf, so earnest was he in his pleadings with God for a perishing world. Little wonder hard hearts were broken and stubborn wills subdued under his ministry.”

James Dobson, founder of Focus on the Family, understood what really matters. Dr. Dobson died last week at the age of 89, still speaking about issues important to families. My good friend and former colleague, Dave Clark, shared a quote from Dr. Dobson when Dave worked for Focus on the Family. Someone asked Dr. Dobson how he’d like to be remembered, to which he replied:

“I don’t think it’s important that I be remembered at all. I don’t think it’s of any great significance in the great scheme of things that I be remembered, except by my loved ones—my family. For those, I would hope I would be remembered as a person who gave unselfishly and who loved Jesus Christ. For me, the most important reason for living is to anticipate that moment when I stand before the Lord and I hear him say, ‘Well done, thou good and faithful servant.’ That, I want more than anything in my life. That is the ultimate goal I have for living—and to take as many people with me to heaven as I possibly can.”

Does it really matter? It mattered for two men who were deserving of their punishments, as they were on their own versions of the Titanic. These were the two criminals hanging on either side of Jesus that day on Golgotha –  one rejected Jesus, the other cried out for mercy, “Jesus, remember me when You come into Your kingdom!” And He said to him, “Truly I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.” (Luke 23:42-43)

‘Does it really matter?’ It doesn’t matter about everything, but there are a few essential things that really do matter, such as family, relationships, character, and faith. God gently reminded me last week, as I was walking out of the house to my office shortly before sunrise, of His infinite glory and what really matters. I couldn’t help but marvel at the celestial display of God’s majesty in the rare occurrence of six planets being in perfect alignment. I personalized Psalm 8 to reflect my heart on what really matters.

LORD, our Lord, How majestic is Your name in all the earth. You have displayed Your splendor above the heavens! Even the cries of babies and children awaken my soul to Your ever-present watch over me. When I consider Mercury, Venus, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune, the works of Your fingers, the crescent moon, and stars which You have set in place. What am I that You should think of me, just an ordinary person, that You are concerned about me? Yet to realize You made me in Your image! You crown me with glory and majesty! You have tasked me to rule over Your creation. You have let me manage the works of Your hands; Everything!

LORD, our Lord, How majestic is Your name in all the earth!

Corporations will change logos, tragedies will strike, politicians will say dumb things, bad decisions will be made, and choices will get blurred, but in the end, the only thing that will really matter is letting God be God in your life! What really matters to you?

God is great!