Faith-Crisis-Courage

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The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart. I Samuel 16:7b

History books are filled with world-changing events that forever alter the course of nations and peoples. 2026 marks the 25th anniversary of one of those events, forever etched in the minds and hearts of those who witnessed evil on full display. On the morning of September 11, 2001, four planes ripped the façade of invulnerability from a nation. Yet for a brief moment, a nation turned to God for comfort, reassurance, and help. Churches were packed, prayers were offered, and people looked to God. Out of the rubble and ashes came stories of personal valor, compassion, and faith. We saw ordinary people who displayed extraordinary courage and character.

One of those was Rick Rescorla, Vice President of Corporate Security at Morgan Stanley Dean Witter & Co. in New York City. He understood his job well: to keep people safe. He assessed situations and identified vulnerabilities. He had led the evacuation in 1993, when a bomb exploded in the World Trade Center parking garage, leaving six people dead. Rick was determined this would not happen again, and for the next eight years, all 2,700 employees went through quarterly evacuation drills: no exceptions, no excuses.

Rescorla did not let up: practice, rework the plan, practice again. He heard all the jokes, complaints, and moaning, but it didn’t stop him. He wasn’t just running escape plans; he was conditioning their minds and bodies to react without thinking. Then came the morning of September 11, 2001. It started like any other day, until 8:46 AM, when American Airlines Flight 11 flew into the North Tower.

The South Tower PA system announced that everyone should stay calm and remain at their workstations. Perhaps it was Rescorla’s military background and war experience, but he ignored the announcement and quickly ordered an evacuation of all Morgan Stanley employees. He barked, “Everyone out, this is not a drill.” No one mocked the drill, complained, or hesitated that morning. At 9:03, the second plane hit the South Tower. Floor after floor of employees fled the building; some remember Rescorla’s calming voice singing “God Bless America” over a bullhorn. All but 13 of the 2,700 Morgan Stanley employees made it out alive. Rick Rescorla  would not leave until he made sure everyone was out when the South Tower collapsed on him.

“God compels us to go where we cannot see the way, and we say—‘I will wait till I get nearer the big crisis.’ If we do not do the running steadily in the little ways, we shall do nothing in the crisis.” Oswald Chambers understood that our faith does not happen at the moment of crisis but in the ordinary, common days of life.

Rescorla understood that you prepare not in the crisis but before it. He showed unwavering commitment to plan and practice what no one could imagine, so everyone would be ready when the crisis came. That’s the way of character. If we wait for character when the crisis comes, we will not be ready. Day-to-day trust in God builds the faith muscles to respond to whatever life brings.

“We imagine we would be all right if a big crisis arose; but the crisis will only reveal the stuff we are made of; it will not put anything into us… Crisis always reveals character. The private relationship of worshipping God is the great essential of fitness.” (Oswald Chambers)

Abraham Lincoln addressed the United States Congress on December 1, 1862, as the nation was divided by civil war. He addressed Congress one month before signing the Emancipation Proclamation into law. President Lincoln faced the perils of war with resolve, faith, and character. His final remarks that day laid the foundation for the nation’s future after the war:

“The dogmas of the quiet past are inadequate to the stormy present. The occasion is piled high with difficulty, and we must rise with the occasion. As our case is new, so we must think anew, and act anew…. The fiery trial through which we pass will light us down in honor or dishonor to the latest generation…We shall nobly save or meanly lose the last best hope of Earth.”

Character doesn’t develop in the midst of crisis; it’s nurtured by the small, seemingly meaningless actions that shape who we become. “Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.” (Romans 5:3-4)

Character is defined by how we respond to a crisis. It is easy to run from a crisis, but often we are called to run toward it to help. 412 first responders died on September 11 when they were called to action. They could have mitigated their risk, but they chose to go where it was most dangerous.

Character didn’t just show up on that Tuesday morning for Welles Crowther. This 24-year-old equity trader put on his signature red bandana, which he had carried since childhood, and began guiding injured people to safety. He carried a badly wounded woman to safety, then went back into the building that took his life.

Character had long defined Todd Beamer before the crisis aboard United Flight 93 and his shout to his fellow passengers, “Let’s roll.” This Wheaton College graduate had lived a life grounded in faith and was ready. Classmate Mike Schauer said of Beamer, “He was heroic in small ways long before 9/11 happened. He was a mentor to a lot of us. And he had those characteristics that came out on 9/11 long before that moment.” (NBC Chicago News).

We remember 9/11 for the loss of life, the sacrifices made, and the empty seats in thousands of homes. Yet we also remember and share stories of valor, courage, and character. The next crisis will come for all of us, but the choices we make today will define us when it arrives. “For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith…” (2 Peter 1:5-7)

God is great!

Labor Day — Past and Future

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Hot dogs, hamburgers, watermelon, and parades are just a few of the things that mark the final celebration of summer. Labor Day does not come with as much fanfare as Thanksgiving and Christmas, unless you are in the market for a new mattress or furniture. Unfortunately, it is unofficially the end of summer. So, is there anything spectacular about Labor Day? Without a doubt, yes.

Labor Day may not have the pageantry of other holidays, but this one day (or weekend) pays tribute to those who labor paycheck to paycheck to provide goods and services to the nation.  We do enjoy the day off now, but for millions in the 1800s it gave honor and dignity to those who labored long hours, often seven days a week. The stroke of President Cleveland’s pen did not just create a holiday; it gave workers legal status and provided a safety net against exploitation. “Labor Day honors the common American workers who helped change the way our country views its workforce, allowing for economic freedom and liberty.”  (Josiah Soto)

Labor Day reminds us of the importance of work and its impact on society. It highlights the contributions, achievements, and economic gains made by a dedicated and committed labor force. It does not matter the job; all facets contribute. Martin Luther King, Jr. said, “All labor that uplifts humanity has dignity and importance and should be undertaken with painstaking excellence.”

Yet long before Labor Day, God reminded us of the creativity of work. Through creation, He modeled for us in the first verses of Genesis the beauty and life that come from creation. “Let there be … and there was.” Throughout the creation process, God took interest in each and every detail until “God saw that it was good.” His final task was to create humankind. “So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.” (Gen 1:27). Then God put them to work to take care of his creation and to give us meaningful work. (Gen 1:28-30, 2:15).

God reminds us that work gives meaning to our souls. “A person can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in their own toil. This too, I see, is from the hand of God, for without him, who can eat or find enjoyment?” (Ecc 2:24-25). Generations later, President Theodore Roosevelt would acknowledge the importance of work, saying, “Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing.”

The American, as well as the global, workforce has undergone many changes since June 28, 1894, when Labor Day became an official holiday. Travel that once took days can now be completed in hours. A handwritten note that would take weeks to reach its recipient can now be sent in seconds. Massive calculations that once took mathematicians days or even weeks can now be completed in a couple of hours.

Yet the man who helped put a computer on every desk and, ultimately, a computer in your hands now has reservations about the future he helped create. Bill Gates, in a recent essay, warned of the potential dangers of artificial intelligence (AI). The technology will rapidly transform the U.S. labor market and put millions of jobs at risk. Why hit the AI panic button? He feels that the speed of AI’s advancement, without a proper response from government and tech leaders, has crossed a critical point. “AI is changing the economy much faster than previous technological revolutions, at a mind-blowing rate, leaving less time to prepare for employment disruptions. It will hit these industries rapidly, over the course of a decade rather than a few generations.”

The Industrial Revolution of the 1700s and 1800s transformed a mainly agrarian and craft-based society into an urban and industrial society. It brought economic growth and new opportunities but also left behind environmental, health, and safety hazards, giving rise to squalid living conditions and urban congestion.

Workers who came from the countryside had to adjust to a very different rhythm of life. Greed drove industrialists to exploit children as young as 7, forcing them to work in dangerous and unhealthy conditions. The poor and uneducated were vulnerable to abuse. Family units no longer worked and did life together.

The dignity, beauty, and value of work, as God intended for His creation, had been manipulated and devalued. Workers were treated as disposable assets rather than as caregivers for God’s creation. Positive changes did come, but only after several generations of people seeking improvements. Laws were finally passed to protect children, ensure workers’ safety, and safeguard the environment.

“Although God’s original design for work was perverted by sin, God will one day restore work without the burdens that sin introduced…Work is of no value except when God is in it.” (author unknown). “No longer will they build houses and others live in them, or plant and others eat. For as the days of a tree, so will be the days of my people; my chosen ones will long enjoy the work of their hands.” Isaiah 65:22

Will artificial intelligence cause a similar upheaval in society? The obvious answer is yes. Every job, industry, and worker will be affected. Bill Gates added, “I am very concerned…If we don’t step up, the negatives will substantially outweigh the positives.”

Do we, as followers of Jesus, need to be concerned? Yes. Do we, as followers of Jesus, need to become overwhelmed by the prospects and give up? The answer that has endured every major societal, cultural, and governmental upheaval is a resounding no. “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10. Will things get messy? Probably. Will it ever be hopeless? Never, because “God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son…” How much more hope do we need than that?

Celebrating Labor Day and the future.

God is great!

What’s In A Name

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Demetrius is well spoken of by everyone—and even by the truth itself. We also speak well of him, and you know that our testimony is true. 3 John 12 NIV

November elections are coming fast; just watch 30 minutes of TV! We have the privilege of voting, but we must endure the endless campaign ads. If it is bad in your state, think about your friends in Alaska. Dan Sullivan endorses Dan Sullivan to beat Dan Sullivan in their Senate race! How does one endorse yourself to run against yourself? It’s all in a name. The sitting senator, Dan S. Sullivan, has been endorsed by former Anchorage mayor Dan A. Sullivan in his run against Dan J. Sullivan. One name, three men, and I thought it was confusing in Georgia. NBC News has reported that “state and federal prosecutors in Alaska were investigating whether the race could be part of a conspiracy to confuse voters.” (Raquel Coronell Uribe, NBC News).

What’s in a name? For those in Alaska, it’s everything. For all of us, it’s everything, even if for different reasons. When a name is mentioned, you immediately form an opinion about that person. You picture all kinds of scenarios when you hear their name. You form your thoughts based on personal interactions, stories from family or friends, historical facts, political commentators, social media, or countless other sources. Think of a person’s name: politician, TV star, local celebrity, or family member; what is your first thought?

None of us has any input into the name we are given at birth, but we have every responsibility for what that name comes to represent. We can tarnish our names through the choices we make, the attitude we display, the friends we keep, or the lifestyle we live. Proverbs remind us that “A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.” (21:1 NIV).

When you hear the name Mother Teresa, people think of caring, compassionate, and concerned. The name Abraham Lincoln brings to mind conviction, determination, and courage. When you think of Billy Graham, you picture an evangelist, a fiery preacher, and a devoted disciple of Jesus. You picture Queen Elizabeth as refined, dignified, and committed. Each of them made a decision that “a good name is more desirable than great riches.”

The opposite extreme is those who chose power, greed, and riches over a good name. You only have to mention Adolf Hitler, Joseph Stalin, Ahab and Jezebel, or Judas Iscariot to begin the list of bad names. Among those names, you will find Mao Zedong. His name is associated with revolutionary change in China, achieved through ruthless power and murder, leaving a legacy of turmoil. Historian Frank Dikötter wrote: “The true dimensions of what happened (in China) are only now coming to light thanks to the meticulous reports the party itself compiled during the famine…What comes out of this massive and detailed dossier is a tale of horror in which Mao emerges as one of the greatest mass murderers in history, responsible for the deaths of at least 45 million people between 1958 and 1962.” (from Unbreakable Courage, Max Lucado).

Unfortunately, an oft-repeated phrase in First and Second Kings was “He did evil in the eyes of the LORD.” It was applied to Israel’s leaders who failed God and the people, leaving a disgraced name. Historians could have used this same phrase thousands of times throughout history for leaders who forgot that “Rich and poor have this in common: The LORD is the Maker of them all” (Pr. 22:2).

What legacy will your name leave for others? What does your name evoke? Proverbs again reminds us, “Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man” (Pr. 3:3-4).

The New York Times ran an article in 2019 with the headline, “Is There Anything We Can All Agree On? Yes: Dolly Parton.” On Tuesday, August 25, this bigger-than-life powerhouse singer and entertainer died at age 80. There are very few celebrities most people know and like. Dolly Parton grew up in extreme poverty but left a vast fortune. Her name could have been linked to glamour and wealth, but she never forgot how important it was to care for others. Her love for God was on full display throughout her career. “Every single day, before I do anything, I wake up, and I thank God. I always pray that he’ll let me uplift mankind and glorify him.”

In his weekly post, Jim Denison wrote, “Today we can all agree that her passing Tuesday is a true cultural moment.” Throughout her recording career, she recorded 90 Top 40 country hits, sold more than 160 million records worldwide, and wrote more than 3,000 songs. Dolly was equally known for her generosity, including giving more than 300 million books to children through her Imagination Library.

There is seldom a week when I do not read a story about a pastor, Christian leader, or influential person whose lifetime of work is destroyed by a single bad decision that becomes public, by careless lifestyle choices, or by an inflated ego that elevates self over God. They failed to protect their greatest asset: their name. “A good name is better than fine perfume, and the day of death better than the day of birth.” (Ecclesiastes 7:1).

How critical it is to never forget your name. G.K. Chesterton wrote: “Every man has forgotten who he is. One may understand the cosmos, but never the ego; the self is more distant than any star. Thou shalt love the Lord thy God; but thou shalt not know thyself. We are all under the same mental calamity; we have all forgotten our names. We have all forgotten what we really are.”

Do we value a good name more than great riches? Criminals know the value of a name, since identity theft occurs every 4.9 seconds in the United States. They may know the monetary value of names but not their true worth. Do we share the same concern for the value of a good name? “The name of the righteous is used in blessings, but the name of the wicked will rot.” (Proverbs 10:7).

God is great!

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Be a Job, Not an Eliphaz

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Then he fell to the ground in worship. Job 1:20b NIV

Would you pay $906,000 for a $1.50 life jacket? That’s what an unidentified bidder paid for a life jacket worn by Laura Mabel Francatelli, a first-class passenger who survived the RMS Titanic’s 1912 sinking.

The RMS Titanic was a British luxury passenger ship that set sail from Southampton on April 10, 1912, on its maiden voyage to New York City. The ship was the largest ever afloat and was billed as unsinkable. Yet on April 14, the ship hit an iceberg and sank in the early hours of April 15, carrying an estimated 1,500 passengers and crew to their deaths.

Francatelli and 11 others survived in the ship’s lifeboat No. 1, which was launched despite having a capacity of 40. Its failure to pick up survivors from the frigid water became a source of controversy. (CBS News on Google, April 18, 2026).

“I promise I will never let go, Jack. I’ll never let go.” These are the words from one of the most unforgettable scenes in the 1997 Oscar-winning movie Titanic. I am sure those who know the movie better than I do would list other incredible moments, but I think this scene captures the power of love and commitment as Jack (Leonardo DiCaprio) and Rose (Kate Winslet) hold onto each other, trying to stay afloat in the icy waters as the massive ship breaks in half.

The historical romance film features two characters from vastly different social and financial backgrounds who find love! This emotional scene shows Jack clinging to the drifting door panel while Rose lies on top of it. Jack encourages Rose, telling her, “You’re going to get out of here. You’re going to go on, and you’re going to make lots of babies, and you’re going to watch them grow. You’re going to die an old, an old lady, warm in her bed. Not here, not tonight, not like this. Do you understand me?” It’s a powerful exchange between two people in a hopeless situation. The scene ends with Rose being rescued and going on to live the life she was promised, though Jack did not survive.

We all enjoy stories of heroes and heroines who battle the odds to save others, to bring light to a dark situation, or simply to encourage others. Most of us would admit that the world seems a bit short on swashbuckling heroes. Yet we might be surprised that it does not take a massive Superman moment to change someone’s situation.

“Faith don’t come in a bushel basket, missy. It comes one step at a time. Decide to trust Him for one little thing today, and before you know it, you find out He’s so trustworthy you be putting your whole life in His hands.” (from Candle in the Darkness, Lynn Austin).

You find Job clinging to a sinking door, in need of rescue. His children have been killed in a horrible storm; his vast wealth is gone, his livestock destroyed or stolen, and he now has a host of physical ailments. So what does he do? “At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship.” (Job 1:20).

Job did not know he was a character in a cosmic drama of good and evil being played out, nor did he realize he was part of the storyline. Then along came his three good friends who knew him well. For them, the storyline went something like this: bad things don’t happen to good people, so you need to repent. Job was not buying that narration.

Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar had the opportunity to be Job’s encouragers, but in chapter after chapter they became his adversaries. Eliphaz gets the first chance: “Blessed is the one whom God corrects; so do not despise the discipline of the Almighty.” (Job 5:17). Then Bildad challenges Job, “How long will you say such things?…Surely God does not reject one who is blameless or strengthen the hands of evildoers.” (8:1a, 20).

Dismayed and broken, Job waits as Zophar speaks; surely he understands. “If you put away the sin that is in your hand and allow no evil to dwell in your tent, then, free of fault, you will lift up your face; you will stand firm and without fear. You will surely forget your trouble, recalling it only as waters gone by” (11:14-15).

Job could have related to those drowning in icy waters as an empty lifeboat sailed by them. Friends who had come to comfort became his tormentors. Yet he had one thing that would not sink: His faith in God. “Oh, that my words were recorded, that they were written on a scroll, that they were inscribed with an iron tool on lead, or engraved in rock forever! I know that my redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand on the earth. And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God; I myself will see him with my own eyes—I, and not another. How my heart yearns within me!” (19:23-27).

The story ends with a major rebuke from God to everyone. Job’s friends had misinterpreted the whole story, placing the blame on Job, and they receive a major reprimand from God. Elihu is completely dismissed. Job, who had blamed God and wanted a face-to-face meeting, comes to realize how foolish he was.

Job never fully knew the plot behind the story, but he did come to realize that God had never left him. “Though he seemed silent or even absent, God was no mere spectator of Job’s suffering. He had been with Job through the entire experience.” (NIV Quest Study Bible)

You may not know someone’s full story, but take time to be a Job, not an Eliphaz, in their life. “You are a house of prayer. A living gateway between heaven and earth. Go forth. Carry His presence into every space. Let His light shine through you. The world is waiting. Heaven is ready. And God is with you.” (Eric Celerier).

God is great!

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Looking to God not the Thorn

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I trust in you; do not let me be put to shame, nor let my enemies triumph over me. No one who hopes in you will ever be put to shame, but shame will come on those who are treacherous without cause. Psalm 25:2-3 NIV

What comes to mind when you are at the top of the highest mountain on earth? I have no idea, and I am never going to find out, but 63-year-old American Eva Steinwald did last year. She climbed the 29,031 ft, 8 ½ in. Mount Everest, a sub-range of the Himalayas. It was not her goal to become the oldest American woman to summit Mount Everest, but she was, at least for a few days, until another American woman took the title at 66.

Why climb?  Her motivation to climb was part of her healing journey after her husband of 26 years died unexpectedly. Steinwald’s first climb was Mount Borah, the highest summit in Idaho.  “It was like a fire in my belly, because I felt alive and I knew that’s what I wanted, and it was a way to honor my husband.” (KTVB7 Idaho interview)

Steinwald said the push to the Mount Everest summit was challenging, but she was determined. “We saw dead bodies along the way, so you realize how serious this mountain is. It can be deadly.”

“Take time to mourn, but then step forward, because the only time we have is right now. We don’t have what we had yesterday; we don’t know what we will have tomorrow. We all have our Everests; whatever your Everest is- if it’s getting your college degree or going back to school, or running a 5k. Whatever it is, believe in your dream. Don’t listen to naysayers; believe in your heart. Baby steps, little goals, and you can get there. I give myself grace; you need to give yourself grace, too.” She said she wants to inspire others to conquer their own Mount Everest.

Steinwald’s mantra on her mountain climbs, as well as life, is “One breath. One step. Just don’t stop.” Her goal, by the time she reaches 70, is to have climbed all seven summits, which are the highest mountain for each of the seven continents.

What is your Mount Everest moment in life? How do you get over your mountain of loss, disappointment, or tragedy? Does it feel as if God has forgotten you?

Ms. Steinwald had guides to help her navigate the treacherous paths to the summit. Who better to guide us on our own epic journeys than Paul? He was an apostle, missionary, writer, teacher, and committed follower of Jesus who understood what it felt like to climb mountains.

Paul had an impressive record of the hardships he endured. “I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked. I spent a night and a day in the open sea…I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked.” (2 Cor. 11:23b-25,27).

We may not particularly enjoy some of the difficult seasons, but through God’s grace we find a way. However, Paul’s greatest help for us comes in those areas where we are totally lost and in confusion. The clouds have rolled in, and we cannot see ahead. Those are the areas where God seems absent or where we cannot hear. Paul offers us help from his own story when, three times, he asked God to remove a mysterious “thorn in his flesh.”

“Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”  (2 Cor 12:7b-9.)

Whether three times or fifty times, we come to realize that God does not always answer our prayers the way we asked. The “thorn” continues to fester within us. However, what we do learn is that we can trust God to help us live and even thrive with the thorn. Paul came to accept the no as what was best for him. “That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” (2 Cor 12:10). Can I always accept the no as what is best for me?

What we think of God when things are in chaos, whether physical or spiritual, reveals much about what we truly know of God’s character. It is in the darkest periods of our lives that we reveal our true understanding of God. What we can know is that God welcomes our repeated prayers yet gently reminds us that his “grace is sufficient.”

“His purpose in the cloud is to simplify our belief until our relationship to Him is exactly that of a child—God and my own soul; other people are shadows…Is the relationship between myself and God getting simpler than ever it has been? There is a connection between the strange providences of God and what we know of Him, and we have to learn to interpret the mysteries of life in the light of our knowledge of God. Unless we can look the darkest, blackest fact full in the face without damaging God’s character, we do not yet know Him.” (Oswald Chambers)

Lord, thank you that you invite me to cast my burdens on you. I give you the things that are weighing on my mind today. I ask you to take them from my hands, but if not, let me live totally in your grace, which is sufficient for today.

God is great!

Prayer Safari: A weekly devotion to offer encouragement, hope, and purpose found in Jesus

When Plans Don’t Work Out

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In their hearts humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps. Pr. 16:9

The plan was simple: climb into a plastic bottle and crowd surf. The problem: the big plastic bottle did not go in the direction it should have gone.  Former American Idol judge and pop superstar Katy Perry decided that climbing into a giant, inflatable plastic bottle and crowd surfing at the recent Isle of MTV Malta performance would be a great way to connect with her fans. All went well until the fans pushed the bottle away from the stage and deeper into the audience. Perry, speaking about the incident, said, “I basically get in this giant inflatable water bottle, and I roll it into the crowd, and tonight I went kind of far, and I was a little bit worried I was not gonna come back.”  (USA Today)

What happens when your well-thought-out plans do not work out? It all depends upon the magnitude of your unfulfilled plans. If you get to the movie theatre and find out that the movie you wanted to see is no longer showing, you probably rank that as a slight irritation. However, you end up seeing another movie that was actually better and much more uplifting.

You made plans all year for a week at the beach. You packed the suntan lotion, inflatables, snacks, and beach stuff. You drove 10 hours, fighting traffic all the way, listening to the kids ask, “Are we almost there?” But you finally made it to your condo. However, you neglected to check the weather and found out that a hurricane was off the coast. You woke up every morning of the week to gale-force winds and tropical rain. Now your well-thought-out plans turned to disappointment. What next? You could pack the car in the pouring rain and drive home. You could decide to stay, but every day you get a little angrier, or you could praise the Lord for the rains and get out the Monopoly Board!

Panic is often the emotional response when you have no idea what will happen next. Katy Perry felt that panic when a well-thought-out plan did not go as planned. Chances are you have never crowd-surfed in an inflatable plastic bottle, but you may have felt that panic in countless different ways.

You had high hopes for a promotion you should have received, but someone else got it. You had been working at your dream job for only a few months when you were told the company was downsizing and that your position would be eliminated. We all have our well-thought-out plans that end up going off track. We may not fully understand, but we do have a God who cares deeply and will see us through our panic. “Great is our Lord and mighty in power; his understanding has no limit.” Psalm 147:5

What do you do when your well-thought-out plans do not work? You lean into God’s goodness and love for you. God reminded Joshua in preparation for him to assume leadership from Moses, “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Deut. 31:6).

 A boat that is not properly fastened to the dock will end up drifting endlessly out into the ocean. Our lives need that secure anchor of God to keep us safe. One of my favorite “coffee mug verses” is Jeremiah 29:11: “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” It is a great reassuring verse, and I believe it fully. However, many people forget that it sits in the middle of a letter addressed to refugees. The people had been defeated, their homes destroyed, their future unsettled, and their government crushed. They were living in captivity; their well-thought-out plans were ruined, and hope was in short supply. If they looked to themselves, nothing good would come.

We tend to want a nice, clear path ahead. We want to arrive at the destination, but God is more concerned with our trusting Him through the journey. You can sit in the middle of chaos when you know God’s promise: He will be with you, He cares for you, and He has everything under control. “Because God has said, Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you. So we say with confidence, The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?” (Hebrews 13:5b-6).

“What we call the process God calls the end. What is my dream of God’s process? His purpose is that I depend on Him and on His power now. If I can stay in the middle of the turmoil calm and unperplexed, that is the end of the purpose of God. God is not working towards a particular finish; His end is the process— that I see Him walking on the waves, no shore in sight, no success, no goal, just the absolute certainty that it is all right because I see Him walking on the sea. It is the process, not the end, which is glorifying to God…God’s end is to enable me to see that He can walk on the chaos of my life just now.” (Oswald Chambers).

We can handle the situations where our “plastic bottle” goes adrift because God is bigger and more able than any situation that comes up. We can get to the point where we see God walking with us in the chaos, as well as in the nice, calm waters. “The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” Deuteronomy 31:8 NIV

Jesus, I lay my fears before you, choosing to trust you. You have turned the tide and reminded me that no problem can overwhelm me because you are with me. Your Word is true—never failing. You bathe me in your life-giving light and show me the way to walk. The journey with you is filled with promise. You have proven your great love, and I will be forever grateful.

God is great!

A weekly devotion to offer encouragement, hope, and purpose found in Jesus.

Vulnerability plus Trust in God equals Unstoppable

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But blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit. Jeremiah 17:7-8 NIV

Vulnerability comes in all shapes and forms. The Thai guide meticulously tightened my harness, checked my safety hat, then attached my trolley to a cable that was suspended several hundred feet in the air across the jungle and pushed me off the platform. Questions of sanity quickly rose to my mind. I had wanted to experience the Flight of the Gibbon when working in Chiang Mai, Thailand, but now, suspended over the lush, emerald jungles, I will admit to a slight feeling of vulnerability. I am not sure why I should have been concerned, since I had been through their safety briefing and instructed on how to brake before I crashed into the other pole going 40-50 mph. The vulnerability quickly gave way to excitement, and I lived to tell the story and get my t-shirt.

Vulnerability and suspicion seem to be natural companions. People feel vulnerable when getting up in front of an audience to speak. Will they like me? Do I have anything worth sharing? People feel vulnerable when trying something new. What if I do it wrong? Can I really do it? Do I know how to do it? People feel vulnerable when they find themselves out of control. What am I going to do? How do I get control?

Marian Anderson understood vulnerability. She chose to face her vulnerability by using her God-given talents to change the cultural norms of her day. Anderson was born in 1897 in Philadelphia to hardworking, committed Christian parents. It did not take long for her amazing singing voice to be recognized; she joined the junior choir at age six. She was affectionately nicknamed “The Baby Contralto.” She would have quickly become a household name, except that she was the wrong color, according to certain segments of society.

Anderson found new pathways when society blocked her because of her race. Having been turned away from a music school in Philadelphia, she was encouraged to go to Europe for training, where she could become a success. When she was denied the opportunity to sing at Washington, D.C.’s Constitutional Hall, the public was outraged. Famous musicians protested, and First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt worked to arrange a free open-air concert on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. She sang “My Country, ‘Tis of Thee” before 75,000 people and millions of radio listeners on Easter Sunday, 1939. Her incredible voice was heard by millions instead of a few hundred in the concert hall.

Over the next decades, she received invitations to perform at the White House; before Presidents and European royalty; at Presidents Eisenhower’s and Kennedy’s inaugurations; and to be honored with awards by Presidents Johnson and Reagan; and was adored for her character and courage. When reflecting on the racism she endured despite her enormous popularity, she simply said, “If I were inclined to be combative, I suppose I might insist on making an issue of these things. But that is not my nature, and I always bear in mind that my mission is to leave behind me the kind of impression that will make it easier for those who follow.” (National Marian Anderson Museum)

Vulnerability and suspicion may be natural dance partners, but vulnerability and trust in God form a far more powerful partnership. If suspicion breeds fear and doubt, trust in God fosters empowerment and purpose. Just ask Jonathan, King Saul’s son and David’s best friend.

Saul’s new kingship was not off to a roaring start. The army was now stuck, waiting for the other side to act. Then Jonathan had a great idea: climb a mountain and take on the enemy. Jonathan told his young assistant, “Let’s go over… Perhaps the LORD will act on our behalf. Nothing can hinder the LORD from saving, whether by many or by few.” (1 Samuel 14:6). Jonathan discovered a powerful principle: two plus God equals overwhelming results!

What a powerful picture of total vulnerability. “Jonathan climbed up, using his hands and feet, with his armor-bearer right behind him.” (I Sam 14:13). I have never served in the military, but I have climbed a few mountains in my life. When you climb using your hands and feet, you are very exposed. This is not the best fighting position. Jonathan put his vulnerability into the capable hands of God. He did not know the possible outcome, but that was not important. He had put his trust in God. The outcome was a total victory on top of the mountain, and “Then panic struck the whole army—those in the camp and field, and those in the outposts and raiding parties—and the ground shook. It was a panic sent by God…So on that day the LORD saved Israel, and the battle moved on beyond Beth Aven.” (I Sam 14:15,21)

You can only imagine the vulnerability David must have felt when he went to fight Goliath with only his sling and the five stones he had picked up. You can only imagine the vulnerability Andrew must have felt when he brought a little boy with a few little fishes and some bread to feed a few thousand. You can only imagine the vulnerability Mary must have felt as she walked in front of a bunch of men and then knelt to pour expensive perfume onto Jesus’ feet. You can only imagine the vulnerability a little nine-year-old boy must have felt as he walked down a church aisle to give his life to Jesus.

We all have our stories of vulnerability. Those stories become life-changing and life-giving when they are told because we lived out our vulnerability by putting our trust in God. “When I am afraid, I put my trust in you…In God I trust and am not afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?” (Psalm 56:3-4)

God is great!

Going Against the Grain

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Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2 NIV

“Most people do not have a problem with you thinking for yourself, as long as your conclusions are the same as or at least compatible with their beliefs.” The late South African author and philosopher Mokokoma Mokhonoana put it well about conformity. Our world is where we live our daily lives, whether rural or urban, young or old, male or female, conservative or liberal, or any other grouping we choose. Our world has certain expectations that we call norms, traditions, or cultural identity. If you happen to wander outside the perceived lines, you quickly get tagged. You are identified as “one of them” instead of “one of us.”

“The simplistic way of not conforming is to see what is in style in our culture and then do the opposite. If short hair is in vogue, the nonconformist wears long hair. If going to the movies is popular, then Christians avoid movies as “worldly.” The extreme case of this may be seen in groups that refuse to wear buttons or use electricity because such things, too, are worldly.” (R.C. Sproul)

Paul cared more about the church than about external matters, unless those matters brought disrepute on the church or caused unbelievers to walk away from Jesus because of lifestyle issues. Paul wrote his letter to Christians who would definitely be considered non-conformists. Rome, the world’s political and economic powerhouse at the time, had definite ideas about how people should live, worship, believe, and act. Everyone had their place in society and culture, with the not-so-subtle requirement that they not deviate from the expected patterns. These early followers of Jesus quickly challenged the expectations for how people were supposed to live, introducing a whole new paradigm of faith.

Theologian R. C. Sproul wrote about nonconformity in his book, The Holiness of God, where he said, “A superficial style of nonconformity is the classical pharisaical trap. The kingdom of God is not about buttons, movies, or dancing. The concern of God is not focused on what we eat or what we drink. The call of nonconformity is a call to a deeper level of righteousness that goes beyond externals. When piety is defined exclusively in terms of externals, the whole point of the apostle’s teaching has been lost. Somehow, we have failed to hear Jesus’ words that it is not what goes into a person’s mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of that mouth. We still want to make the kingdom a matter of eating and drinking.” (R. C. Sproul, The Holiness of God)

Living with your life focused on Jesus often puts you at odds with current cultural trends, political views, and lifestyle choices. Jesus fully understood that those who would follow Him would be forced into challenging positions. Yet He did not sugarcoat the requirements for His followers. “Then Jesus said to his disciples, Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.” (Matthew 16:24 NIV).

William Tyndale became a nonconformist when he challenged the established religious authority by translating the Bible into English. His work ultimately led to his being burned at the stake. Yet in death, his final words were, “Lord, open the king of England’s eyes.”

Rev. Bernard Randall became a nonconformist after preaching a sermon advocating freedom of belief over gender identity. His commitment to upholding Biblical truth cost him his job as a chaplain and his standing as a priest in the Church of England. A settlement was finally reached, clearing him of wrongdoing. Randall wrote, “Seven years have been taken from me for doing my duty as a C of E chaplain in a school with a C of E ethos. I encouraged pupils to think, to debate, and to love their neighbors whatever they believed. No minister, teacher, or chaplain should be punished for upholding Christian teaching in a Christian setting.”

Paivi Rasanen, former Finnish Minister of the Interior, found herself a nonconformist when she upheld biblical beliefs about marriage and sexual ethics over current cultural trends. “I stand by the teachings of my Christian faith and will continue to defend my and every person’s right to share their convictions in the public square.” In a letter to the U.S. House Judiciary Committee, she wrote, “Without the criminal charges imposed on me, I would not have had the exceptional chance to share my Christian faith in police stations, courtrooms, and through live broadcasts and press conferences heard around the world.”

“The call to nonconformity is choosing faith over fear, truth over trends, and compassion over canceling. It’s rejecting popular opinion, peer pressure, and political correctness when those are at odds with the will of God. The fear of man is epidemic, but there is a cure – the fear of God that sets us free from every other fear.” (Mark Batterson, from pre-release of his new book, Not My Circus).

These early believers in Rome practiced nonconformity until they had redefined the surrounding pagan culture. They offered their “bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God” (Romans 12:1). They met in homes as a community rather than allowing social status to define who they were. They fellowshipped together, learned together, and worshipped together (Acts 2:42). They were nonconformists in how they ministered to each other’s needs, pooling resources to help one another. “They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need” (Acts 2:45).

These believers’ houses became places of worship and centers of hospitality, welcoming anyone who wanted to learn more about Jesus. These nonconformists lived differently from the world. They did not conform to the world, but by living transformed lives, they changed their world.

Today, we face new challenges in living out our faith, yet we must still choose not to conform to the world’s pattern and be transformed by the renewing of our minds. Jesus is worth the cost of refusing to conform to the world’s patterns!

God is great!

A weekly devotional post offering encouragement, hope, and purpose found only in Jesus

 

Jesus Touch of Healing

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Aware of this, Jesus withdrew from that place. A large crowd followed him, and he healed all who were ill. He warned them not to tell others about him. Matthew 12;15-16

Jesus, you are as much a Healer today as you were 2,000 years ago. I take hope in your love and power to heal both the loved ones I entrust to your care and me. God is greater than any of my circumstances, whether physical, spiritual, financial, or end-of-life. This is such an important truth to remember whenever we are feeling defeated.

 We now live in an age when our modern treatment of medical issues takes place behind closed doors in sterilized surroundings. In the United States, HIPAA protects patients’ medical privacy. Unless you are the patient, you will seldom be exposed to the graphic reality of sickness. Now, I am not advocating going back to a time of non-sterilized environments; I am grateful for the advances in medical care. However, I am more thankful that Jesus is still the ultimate healer.

The sick, hurting, and destitute people Jesus encountered did not have the luxury of medical care, privacy, or hope. They endured the frustrations of their broken bodies daily, in full view of every passerby. The blind were forced to beg, those with leprosy lived as outcasts, the deaf lived in isolation, and the broken were robbed of all dignity. Yet Jesus saw them for who they were. They were beloved, created in the image of God, and loved by him.

“What sickening ulcers and putrefying sores! Yet He was ready for every new shape of the monster of evil and was victor over it in every form…It is still the case today. Whatever my own condition may be, the beloved Physician can heal me; and whatever may be the state of others whom I may remember at this moment in prayer, I may hope in Jesus that He will be able to heal them or their sins…I can hope for each and for all, when I remember the healing power of my Lord…He who on earth walked the hospitals still dispenses His grace and works wonders among the songs of men: Let me go to Him immediately and earnestly.” (Charles Spurgeon)

Jesus did not worry about social norms or traditions when it came to his beloved. We read the tender story of a man with leprosy who walked bravely out of the shadows and endured the scorn of the crowd so that he could come to Jesus. He had been condemned all his life to the realm of the outcasts until he learned about the one who could bring healing. Jesus could have stood at a distance and spoken the word for the man to be cured, but not Jesus. “Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man…Be clean! Immediately he was cleansed of his leprosy.” (complete story: Matthew 8:1-4). The man was healed, but maybe for the first time in years, the man felt the touch of another human, and that touch was Jesus.

Jesus was not hindered by distance or racial barriers when it came to his beloved.  We read the humbling story of a Roman military officer who set aside his rank and power for his paralyzed servant and asked Jesus to heal him. The centurion bowed before Jesus, saying he was not worthy for Jesus to come to his home, but trusted that Jesus could “say the word, and my servant will be healed”. Jesus was amazed and told him, “Go! Let it be done just as you believed it would. And his servant was healed at that moment” (Matthew 8:5-13).

Jesus did not worry about religious sensitivities when it came to restoring his beloved, who were broken. We read of the determination of friends to get their hands dirty and make a spectacle of themselves, if necessary, to bring their friend to Jesus. The noise must have stopped Jesus’ teaching as the friends worked hard to pull off the roof tiles until they could lower the man to Jesus. “So he said to the man, I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home. He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all.” (Mark 2: 1-12 complete story).

Jesus understands the challenges of his beloved and gives us the strength, courage, and fortitude to face each day. Joni Eareckson Tada, who has been paralyzed and in a wheelchair since she was 17, tells the story of hoping to take her wheelchair to heaven with her. “Now I know that is not biblically correct, but if I were able, I would have my wheelchair up in heaven right next to me when God gives me my brand-new, glorified body. And I will then turn to Jesus and say, “Lord, do you see that wheelchair right there? Well, you were right when you said that in this world we would have trouble, because that wheelchair was a lot of trouble! But Jesus, the weaker I was in that thing, the harder I leaned on you. And the harder I leaned on you, the stronger I discovered you to be. So thank you for what you did in my life through that wheelchair. And now, “I always say jokingly, “you can send that wheelchair to hell, if you want.” (Joni Eareckson Tada, Joni & Friends website)

Lord, you are my healer and comforter. I bring all my cares to you and lay them at your feet. I am learning to listen to you when you say, “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7 NLT)

God is great!

Prayer Safari: A weekly devotional post to offer encouragement, hope, and purpose found in Jesus.

Fathers Touch of Love

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Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love.

 I Corinthians 16: 13-14 NIV

Fathers, did you get that perfect gift yesterday for Father’s Day? If not, there is always Christmas. This gift may not be for you, but if you are the father of young children, it would be an answer to prayer. I am not sure if or when it will ever be released in the United States, but Chinese carmaker Seres has been granted a patent for the long-awaited “in-vehicle toilet”. This amazing invention slides under a passenger’s seat for those much-needed stops on long road trips. How many times have you just passed an exit when you hear the magic words, “I need to go to the bathroom,” and the next exit is 20 miles down the road?

The patent filing on April 10 stated, “the feature is meant to satisfy users’ needs on long journeys, while camping, or while staying in the car. The loo will come with a fan and exhaust pipe to channel odors out of the car…Waste is collected in a tank that has to be emptied manually.” (Osmond Chia)

Globally, Father’s Day is celebrated in many nations, all with the same purpose of honoring fathers. In the United States, the UK, and South Africa, among others, it is observed on the third Sunday in June. The idea of celebrating fathers came from two young ladies in the early 1900’s, Grace Golden Clayton and Sonora Smart Dodd. West Virginian Clayton proposed the idea in 1908, and though many felt her idea worthy, it was rejected. On the opposite side of the nation, Dodd convinced the Spokane, Washington Ministerial Alliance to celebrate Father’s Day the following year. The idea was accepted and gained support over the next several decades. However, it wasn’t until 1966 that it became officially recognized.

President Lyndon B. Johnson designated the third Sunday of June that year in a proclamation as Father’s Day. In his proclamation, he stated, “In the homes of our Nation, we look to the fathers to provide the strength and stability which characterize the successful family…If the father’s responsibilities are many, his rewards are also great-the love, appreciation, and respect of children and spouse.”  Finally, in 1972, President Richard Nixon signed a law officially making Father’s Day a permanent national holiday.

Father’s Day may be officially celebrated on one day of the calendar, but hopefully, fathers, just like mothers, are celebrated the other 364 days, since their roles are not limited to one day of the year.

Fathers come in all shapes, colors, abilities, temperaments, and fashion senses, yet they all share one common thread—their children. Whether their role as fathers came about through natural birth, adoption, fostering, or unique care status for children, they are fathers. Fathers know best some days and completely blow it the next. Yet a wise father who seeks to guide his children in God’s ways will unveil the true secrets of life. “Listen, my sons (and daughters), to a father’s instruction; pay attention and gain understanding. I give you sound learning, so do not forsake my teaching…Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or turn away from them.” (Proverbs 4:1-2,5 NIV).

Fathers know it is not an easy job. It never has been, nor will it ever be. Dwight Moody was not talking only to dads, but the message was encouraging. “Let God have your life; he can do more with it than you can.” The Bible does not have a special category for “Best Dad of the Year,” but we can find some noteworthy examples. One great example is Joseph.

Joseph’s role as father did not come through the normal channels. He was given a very unique role. Joseph was looking forward to a long, ordinary life with his fiancée, Mary. Plans were coming together for the marriage, for setting up a new home, for dreaming of children, and for starting his carpentry business. Then came the extraordinary assignment that changed the course of their comfortable, preconceived plans. God asked Joseph to fulfill a critical purpose in the Messiah’s birth, as caretaker of Mary and the baby.

“Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 1:18). Needless to say, Joseph’s perfect world was turned upside down. He cared deeply for Mary and didn’t have the heart to publicly disgrace her, so he decided to divorce her quietly.

An angel appeared to Joseph in a dream, reassuring him that Mary had willingly agreed to the plan. Now, would he have the courage to say yes? “Carry the cross patiently, and with perfect submission; and in the end it shall carry you.” (Thomas a Kempis)

 “When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.” (Matthew 1:24-25) Joseph did not know what lay ahead, but he said yes. He would protect Mary and Jesus from a tyrannical ruler, take his family as refugees to a foreign country, resettle them in a new home, teach Jesus to be a carpenter, and serve as a mentor and teacher.

“The characteristic of a disciple is not that he does good things, but that he is good in motive because he has been made good by the supernatural grace of God. The only thing that exceeds right-doing is right-being. Jesus Christ came to put into any man who would let him a new heredity which would exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees. Jesus says—If you are my disciple, you must be right not only in your living, but in your motives, in your dreams, in the recesses of your mind.” Oswald Chambers

Little is said about Joseph after the first few years. Scholars can only speculate; we can only offer opinions, but what we do know is that he faithfully did his job as God asked him to. His obedience changed both history and eternity. Whatever or however the role of father came to you, do it in a way that prepares the next generation to follow Jesus.

God is great!

Monday morning devotion to offer encouragement, hope, and purpose for Jesus’ followers