God’s Unchangeableness

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Photo by AS Photography

God is not human, that he should lie, not a human being, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill? Numbers 23:19

Morning rush hour in Atlanta is often dangerous and chaotic, but can you imagine if there were no consistency in traffic rules?  At least when you come up to an intersection, you know to stop on red, go on green, and speed up on yellow (partially kidding).  Traffic signs provide a measure of safety since they are based on consistent rules and regulations that never change. You may have a different thought on how fast you should go, but you follow the signs that tell you what you can and can’t do, what speed to drive, and which way to go.

Life is filled with moments when we never quite know how a person will react to us. Maybe the one exception is going through the Chick-fil-A drive-through, and you always hear “My Pleasure.” We are not always guaranteed outcomes in life, as illustrated by the story of six-year-old Brandon. He had great intentions, but things went from bad to worse.

Little Brandon decided one Saturday morning to surprise his mom and dad by fixing pancakes before they woke up. He found a big bowl and spoon, pulled a chair to the counter, opened the cabinet, and pulled out the heavy flour canister, spilling it on the floor. He scooped some of the flour into the bowl with his hands, mixed in most of the other ingredients, all the while leaving a floury trail on the kitchen floor.

Brandon was covered with flour and getting frustrated; he only wanted to surprise his mom and dad. He didn’t know what to do next, whether to put it all into the oven or on the stove, but he didn’t know how the stove worked! Suddenly, he saw his kitten licking from the bowl and reached to push her away, knocking the egg carton to the floor. Frantically, he tried to clean up this growing mess, but slipped on the eggs, getting his pajamas white and sticky.

Just then, he saw his dad standing at the door. Big crocodile tears welled up in Brandon’s eyes. His valiant efforts to do something special had turned into a terrible mess. He was sure a scolding was coming, maybe even a spanking. Through teary eyes, Brandon watched his dad walking through the mess, who gently picked up his crying son, hugged him, and reassured him that it was ok, even getting his own pajamas white and sticky in the process. (adapted illustration from unknown source)

Does that father sound like someone you know? God walks into our failed attempts to do something good, looks over the mess we made, and pulls us into His caring arms and holds us close to Himself. No scolding, just caring. No rejection, just acceptance. No ridicule, just love. Most of us are somewhere between finishing up one mess and starting on another.

Brandon’s dad extending grace that morning makes it a nice, feel-good story. But what if Brandon’s dad has a horrible week at the office and isn’t in the mood for messes? Or maybe Brandon’s dad had already told him not to be in the kitchen without one of them, but Brandon decided to disobey him? Unfortunately, we have all been in situations where the outcome was totally unpredictable. Brandon’s dad is human, and all of us humans react differently in different circumstances depending upon our emotions, situation, or perspective at any given point in time.

Thankfully, the same can’t be said about God. “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” (James 1:17 NIV)

How God responds isn’t dependent upon how He feels, His mood for the day, or the current fad of the day. His reaction is based upon His unchanging character, purpose, truth, and promises. When we blow it, God sees and responds not on how He feels but upon his unchangeableness. The external circumstances don’t impact His nature, which gives us a firm foundation for our lives. God’s unchangeableness is captured in a rich, powerful theological term: immutability. This is not a word we use very often, but we can be thankful for God’s immutability. If God changed with the wind, then what kind of god would he be?

“The immutability of God is grounds and encouragement for worship, “wrote Puritan writer and pastor Stephen Charnock in the 16th century. “What encouragement could there be to lift up our eyes to one that is of one mind today, and of another mind tomorrow? What comfort would it be to pray to a god that, like the chameleon, changed colour every day, every moment?” Charnock went on to write, “God’s immutability is the greatest encouragement to prayer. Prayer is an acknowledgment of our dependence upon God. Our dependence could have no firm foundation without God’s unchangeableness.”

You may not discuss immutability very often with your friends at Waffle House unless you want to impress them with big words! What will come up in the conversation will be the crisis you are facing and how much you are depending upon God to help you, or problems your children are facing and how you trust God to help them deal with the problem. How thankful I am that God listens to our problems. “You can’t base your understanding of God and what he is doing on your own interpretation of your circumstances. No, it’s your knowledge of who God is and what He does that allows you to understand your circumstances properly.” (Paul David Tripp)

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Hebrews 13:8; The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever. Isaiah 40:8”

When you find yourself at the intersection of disaster and hopelessness, it is reassuring to know that God is already there for you and will gladly take over, even if you made the wrong turn to get there.

 

God is great!

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God, the Master Rebuilder

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And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To him be the power for ever and ever. I Peter 5:10-11 NIV

Crowds quickly flock to the scene when they hear fire engine sirens. Curiosity or concern draws people toward the flames, neighbors and passersby watch as the flames destroy, and firemen fight to contain the fire. How much more is this true when the fire involves a historic building or monument? Such was the scene on April 15, 2019, when fire alarms were sounded at the 860-year-old Gothic Notre-Dame Cathedral as flames engulfed the cathedral. Firefighters worked hard over the next 15 hours fighting to contain the fire that left the once magnificent structure scarred and unusable.

The easy, and probably economical decision would have been to salvage what you could, demolish the structure, and rebuild from the ground up. However, French President Emmanuel Macron made the bold statement that the cathedral would be rebuilt within five years, and the painstaking task of rebuilding this world treasure began with over 1,300 skilled artisans working on the project.  Pres. Macron addressed the workers on a final site visit before the inaugural reopening with the words, “You are the alchemists of this project, and you transformed coal into artistry. The furnace of Notre-Dame was a national scar, and you were its healing balm.”

Scars will always remain on the cathedral from the fire, but people will again visit and worship because of the workers’ loving efforts. Nehemiah faced opposition and ridicule as he undertook the massive challenge of rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem. “Will they restore their wall? Will they offer sacrifices? Will they finish in a day? Can they bring the stones back to life from those heaps of rubble—burned as they are?” Nehemiah 4:2. Nehemiah understood the challenge, but he also believed God was able to overcome any opposition. He could have looked at the crumbling walls and given up on the task, but he rallied the people to begin the work: “So we rebuilt the wall till all of it reached half its height for the people worked with all their heart.” (4:6)

God has been in the business of turning ashes into art since the beginning of time. I imagine a conversation in the hallways of heaven going something like this, “That person is a total loss, why bother restoring him, just start over.” Thankfully, God doesn’t listen, but out of his grace, He reaches into the broken rubble of our lives caused by our mistakes, failures, and sin. He then takes the remnants, begins to rebuild until we hear the words, “If anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come. The old has gone, the new is here.” (2 Cor 5:17).

I am sure you have walked past once beautiful old houses that now stand in various stages of decay. These grand old houses are dilapidated because of time and neglect, broken windowpanes, peeling paint, and overgrown grass. These are houses that were once filled with laughter from children playing in the yard, family get-togethers, and simple daily activities of life.

One day, you walk past and see white panel vans parked out front. Workers are busy unloading and assembling scaffolding, new windows are being installed, and painters are scraping off old, peeling paint and applying a fresh coat. The grass has been cut, flower beds cleaned out, hedges trimmed, and roses planted. You can hear workers inside the house tearing down walls, rebuilding staircases, and hauling out trash and debris. Soon, a moving truck is parked at the house, and a new family is moving into the once-decaying home, now restored to its former glory. The sounds of laughter and joy will once again drift out of the front door.

C.S. Lewis beautifully illustrated God’s restoration business in Mere Christianity. “Imagine yourself as a living house. God comes in to rebuild that house. At first, perhaps, you can understand what He is doing. He is getting the drains right and stopping the leaks in the roof and so on; you knew that those jobs needed doing and so you are not surprised. But presently He starts knocking the house about in a way that hurts abominably and does not seem to make any sense. What on earth is He up to? The explanation is that He is building quite a different house from the one you thought of – throwing out a new wing here, putting on an extra floor there, running up towers, making courtyards. You thought you were being made into a decent little cottage: but He is building a palace. He intends to come and live in it Himself.”

Throughout Scripture, God does not leave humanity to rot but continually seeks to redeem and restore. God’s redemption, his rescue plan of grace, is always far greater than the brokenness and sin from which He seeks to save us. “Unless the LORD builds the house, the builders labor in vain” Psalm 127:1. “From the time of Noah, through the time of Christ, right up to this present moment, the promises of God are the surest foundation in all of history” (Pete Greig)

One of the walking paths that Connie and I take is past an old, abandoned farmhouse. Over the years, we have watched it slowly deteriorate a little more each year. There is no attempt to salvage the house, letting time take its toll. Gratefully, God has other plans for our lives. Paul David Tripp says it well, “Your Lord begins by restoring you so that you can live as he designed you to live. But there will be a day when he will make all things new. In almighty mercy, he will reverse every bit of damage sin has done, and we will live forever in peace and righteousness, in a totally new world. This broken-down house that we call home will not be broken forever.”

“For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands.” 2 Corinthians 5:1

So maybe that conversation in heaven sounds more like this, Wow, look what God did in that person’s life. Can you believe the amazing transformation! I am thankful God is a Master Rebuilder. How about you?

God is great!

 

 

Community, The Inner-Journey

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Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful. Colossians 3:13-15 NLT

“A community is like a ship; everyone ought to be prepared to take the helm.” The words of Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen powerfully display the role of each person in community. God’s gift of community has been on display as we watched “strangers” responding to the crisis of the Guadalupe River devastating flood. God gave us the precious gift of community to journey with us in times of life’s disasters. God also gifted us with community to be part of our inner spiritual life and development.

God empowers the community to be His hands and feet when we face natural and physical disasters. God equally empowers community to walk with us in our spiritual journey. Without community, individuals would have a limited impact on the world’s needs, and without community, we would be limited and often stagnant in our personal spiritual growth. We need each other in times of natural disasters, as we need each other in our personal struggles and growth.

Dave Booram, an Indiana pastor and retreat leader, shared some of his story and his search for spiritual healing in a recent blog post. “For several years after I was betrayed by church leaders, I actively and passively struggled to find another faith community. Slowly, as my wounded spirit began to heal, I recognized my need and longing for human/spiritual companions again.” Booram writes that he was able to connect with others who walked with him in his spiritual journey. He now writes that, “My spiritual life seemed lighter, more authentic, more loving, more relevant to my life’s experience. So, when I was asked the question, ‘What do I need from my church?’ I found myself answering simply: I need to be reminded of Jesus. I still need that. During the ups and downs, the inner and outer convulsions of my week, I need a sacred community that reminds and recalibrates my heart, head, and hands to Jesus.”

What do you need from your sacred community? Parker Palmer, in his book A Hidden Wholeness, writes, “The journey toward inner truth is too taxing to be made solo: lacking support, the solitary traveler soon becomes weary or fearful and likely to quit the road. The path is too deeply hidden to be traveled without company; finding our way involves clues that are subtle and sometimes misleading, requiring the kind of discernment that can happen only in dialogue. The destination is too daunting to be achieved alone. We need community to find the courage to venture into the alien lands to which the inner teacher may call us.”

We all need community, a place where we are challenged, encouraged, and occasionally reprimanded. The different seasons of growth result in our maturing to become more like Christ. The writer of Hebrews set the standard for how community should impact our lives. “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” (Heb 10:24-25)

Sebastian Junger covered the war effort in Afghanistan for over a decade, living mostly with the troops in military barracks. Most of the soldiers talked about the day when they would return home, but what Junger noticed, a great many would reenlist for another term within six months. He started asking questions on why they would give up comfort in the suburbs for a hard life in the barracks. His observations led to his book, Tribe, and the conclusion that “a robust sense of community and an embodied counterculture does more to draw out the human heart than comfort, wealth, ease, or social “progress” ever could.”  (from Tyler Staton, The Familiar Stranger)

Jesus modeled the power and beauty of oneness, knowing we would need each other if we were to become all that we could be. Jesus prayed for his followers, “that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one—I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.” (John 17:21-23)

Our modern society can be defined by mobility and individuality as a core value. Junger made the point in his book that, “A person living in a modern city or a suburb can, for the first time in history, go through an entire day—or an entire life—mostly encountering complete strangers. They can be surrounded by others and yet feel deeply, dangerously alone. The evidence that this is hard on us is overwhelming.”

What a difference an energized, Christ-filled, unified community can make in our world. Together we “carry each other’s burdens” (Gal 6:2); encourage one another in worship (Eph 5:19); “admonish one another with all wisdom” (Col 3:16); as we “Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.” (Eph 5:21) and ultimately living as “the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.” (Eph 4:16)

“The community of the saints is not an ‘ideal’ community consisting of perfect and sinless men and women, where there is no need of further repentance. No, it is a community which proves that it is worthy of the gospel of forgiveness by constantly and sincerely proclaiming God’s forgiveness.” Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Together, making an impact outwardly and inwardly!

God is great!

 

 

 

In God, Our Solid Ground

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Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior. Habakkuk 3:17-18 NIV

The night sky had been brilliant with the 4th of July fireworks, but now the sky was dark.  Tired summer campers collapsed in bed after camp counselors finished their nightly devotions. Along the edges of the Guadalupe River, hundreds crawled into their RVs, tents, and cabin beds, unaware their world would soon be upended forever.   An unknown and raging monster was awakening in the Guadalupe River in the Hill Country of Texas. At 3:45 A.M, the levels began to spike, and within an hour, the calm, peaceful river had risen 22 feet, unleashing unbelievable terror along its once gentle banks. The river claimed 129 souls, with over 150 still missing as of Friday.

That night, Camp Mystic’s heart was torn apart as 27 of their campers and counselors were swept under the restless rage of the river, including the beloved camp director. Dick Eastland. The grandfather of 11, a third-generation manager and passionate guardian of the girls, lost his life trying to save “his” girls. Generations have been impacted since University of Texas coach “Doc” Stewart founded the camp in 1926. The vision was to provide young girls with a “wholesome Christian atmosphere in which they could develop outstanding personal qualities and self-esteem” (Camp Mystic website).

In the aftermath of a tragedy, there are lots of questions, but few answers. However, one question worth asking is, what does God do for us when He knows our world will never be the same again? The first and greatest answer we get is God Himself. The Texas floods left families devastated, homes destroyed, and lives upended, but the presence of God continues to hold them, love them, and encourage them. Through all the tragedies of this past event and all that will come, He assures us He will never leave us alone:

“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

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10

“The LORD your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.” Zephaniah 3:17

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39

Joshua, who had always been in the shadows of the legendary leader Moses, found himself thrust into the role of leading a nation into their new homeland. When fear and doubt most likely overwhelmed Joshua, God came alongside him and told him three times, “Be strong and courageous.”  God’s reassurance to Joshua still holds true for us today: “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9)

Your assurance of God’s presence came with the final benediction of Jesus before he ascended into heaven, “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matt 28:20) Whatever happens in life, you have the final promise of Jesus that He will be with you. That will see you through the darkest days!

The second answer to the question of what God does for you is to give you community. God never expected or desired for us to walk this journey of life outside of community. Paul reminds us in Galatians to “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way, you will fulfill the law of Christ.” (6:2) Luke captured the heart of the early church with the words, “All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need.” (Acts 2:44-45)

Solomon understood the value of togetherness as he wrote, “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10)

Jesus closed out the question about which was the greatest commandment in the Law with the simple yet difficult response, “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Matt 22:39). Henri Nouwen once said that true community is the place where “the individual we least like always lives next door.”

Community has been on full display this week in central Texas as countless thousands of volunteers have come from all over the United States. Though the majority hadn’t experienced a loss or even knew anyone impacted by the flood, they still needed to go and help. Joining others, they have walked the riverbank searching for the missing, cleaning out strangers’ houses, fixing meals, and simply being the “hands and feet” of Jesus.

Community can be described either as a beautiful symphony or a bunch of screeching, out-of-tune instruments. Jacob Collier, in a YouTube lecture on harmony in music, said, “Harmony is what happens when you put more than one note next to each other and they all happen at the same time. Harmony gets more exciting the more notes you add.”

God planned for community to be that expression of harmony. South African pastor Nkosinathi Mbuyazi said it well, “Harmony is beautiful in music, but far more beautiful in relationships. I am an individual note, being composed in Christ into perfect harmony. When I live a reconciled life, I come together with a community of others appreciating our differences and choosing to find the ways we fit together like pieces of a puzzle. The gospel has a remedy for my places of friction; seek a reconciliation that values all unique stories and differences and put on love which binds everything together in perfect harmony.”

“In Christ alone my hope is found, He is my light, my strength, my song.

This cornerstone, this solid ground, Firm through the fiercest drought and storm.

What heights of love, what depths of peace, when fears are stilled, when strivings cease.

My comforter, my all in all, here, in the love of Christ, I stand.” (First stanza, In Christ Alone, Keith & Kristyn Getty)

God is great!

Living Free in Freedom

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It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. Galatians 5:1 NIV

Can you think of any better way to celebrate the 4th than eating 70 hot dogs?  Joey Chestnut, 16-time winner and competitive eating legend, returned to the Coney Island stage Friday and reclaimed his title as champion in the Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest, demolishing 70.5 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes. Chestnut, truly the GOAT of the event, said, “I’m thrilled to be returning to the Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest. This event means the world to me. It’s a cherished tradition, a celebration of American culture, and a huge part of my life.”

I am not sure George Washington ever envisioned citizens celebrating Independence Day by eating 70 hot dogs in 10 minutes, but then that is what freedom is all about! Last Friday, the United States celebrated with parades, cookouts, homemade ice cream, lots of fireworks, and even hot dog eating contests.

There was not a singular path that ignited the American Revolutionary War, ultimately bringing about independence, but most historians agree that one line from one speech ignited the fire for freedom. Patrick Henry’s “I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death,” became the rallying cry of the minutemen as they fought in what many considered a hopeless cause against a superpower. Yet on Friday, we celebrated our 249th Independence Day.

The American Revolutionary War was not a one-time military conflict. There have been very few July 4th celebrations when a military conflict was not taking place somewhere in the world that found American soldiers being needed.

Freedom is seldom celebrated in isolation from competing ideas or conflicts. Learning to live free in freedom requires determination, commitment, and vision. The road to freedom never looks the same and often arrives in some surprising ways.

Freedom surprisingly arrived for Joseph through the treachery of his brothers. Freedom was only a dream as he sat in a dark, cold cell, having been sold into slavery by his own family. The once favored, though arrogant son, found himself alone, enslaved, and with little future. Yet in his enslavement, he learned humility, faith, and trust, which allowed God to use him to bring salvation to many. “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.” Genesis 50:20

Freedom surprisingly arrived for a nation at the edge of a mighty river. Moses had led the nation of Israel out of their enslavement through the miraculous display of God’s power, only now to be pinned against the lapping water and a powerful army bearing down on them. Freedom seemed short-lived, that was, until God intervened! “Then the LORD said to Moses, “Why are you crying out to me? Tell the Israelites to move on. Raise your staff and stretch out your hand over the sea to divide the water so that the Israelites can go through the sea on dry ground.” (Exodus 14:16)

Freedom surprisingly arrived for Peter, chained between two guards. His friend and co-worker James had been executed, and now the same fate awaited him. Peter peacefully slept while the church prayed for him. There wasn’t much hope until God intervened, and did He ever intervene. “Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him up. “Quick, get up!” he said, and the chains fell off Peter’s wrists…They passed the first and second guards and came to the iron gate…It opened for them by itself, and they went through it…Now I know without a doubt that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me.” (Acts 12:7-11)

Freedom surprisingly arrived for you and me, even while we were drowning in sin. Three simple spoken words changed the course of eternity: “It is finished.” With those words, Jesus gave up his life for you and me. We are growing and learning how to be free in freedom. “But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.” (2 Cor 3:16-18)

Max Lucado writes about Lt. Col Brian Reed, who served in Baghdad, Iraq. Leading his unit on regular street patrols to protect neighborhoods and build peace, his unit came upon a small Christian church. Col Reed and his men, in full combat mode, entered the building. Instead of the hate and anger they faced daily on the streets, they were welcomed by the Arabic-speaking Coptic Christians singing and praising God. Though they didn’t understand the words, they recognized they were with others who knew the Lord. “The language was foreign, but the observances were not: fellowship, prayer, the teaching, and the breaking of bread.” Invited by the Coptic Christians to partake in the Lord’s Supper, Col Reed and his men joined the Iraqis in celebration of true freedom.

Col Reed wrote, “Jesus was there. He showed up in the very place some of us were ready for our air force brethren to blow off the face of the earth. God spoke to me that evening…Celebrating the Lord’s Supper and remembering Jesus’ sacrifice for our sins was the most important bridge builder and wall destroyer we could have experienced.”  (Max Lucado, Stories for your Soul)

Freedom, a simple word that is often hard to fully grasp!

God is great!

Praying for those devastated by the floods in central Texas. Praying for the families who have lost loved ones, especially the children.

 

 

 

 

 

Sound of Summer

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Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest. Prov 6:6-8 NIV

What sounds define summer for you? Those who have camped outdoors would probably rate the chirping of crickets both comforting and irritating. Summer means the buzzing of cicadas, the obnoxious croaking of frogs, the forlorn hooting of the screech owl, and a myriad of other midnight sounds.

Fifty summers ago, a simple, repetitive two-note motif played on a tuba created a heart-stopping, suspenseful drama that caused thousands to jump out of their seats and cancel their beach holidays. These two little notes changed summer vacations after watching the movie, Jaws. John Williams, the composer of the 2-note ostinato, described the music as “grinding away at you, just as a shark would do, instinctual, relentless, unstoppable.”  June 20 marked the 50th anniversary of the movie Jaws, and even if you have never seen the film, you have most likely been gripped by the soundtrack.

There is something special about the sounds of summer. Granted, each season brings a melody of unique sounds, but the summer sounds remind us of the fullness of God’s creation. Last Friday marked the official beginning of summer—the end of school bells, early morning alarm clocks, and quiet walks on the beach. We gladly welcome this new set of sounds and grab the summer rhythm, because, as John Goodman writes, “How quickly time goes by now, compared to when you were a kid. Summer used to last forever. Now it is twelve weeks.”

We welcome the summer sounds of children’s laughter echoing across the backyard fence as they recapture memories of a simpler time. Do you remember the summer excitement when life seemed simpler, less hectic? Summer is a great time to turn off the TV, forget about social media, and enjoy the beautiful outdoors. When was the last time you took a rock and skipped it across the water, counting the number of skips from your throw? Instead of the well-laid-out vacation itinerary, you might try a road trip in your car. However, set your GPS to avoid interstates. Connie and I did that a few years ago, and it is amazing what you see along American highways and through small towns. You do need to factor in lots of stops to enjoy those unique, unknown museums; it will be worth it.

We welcome the summer sounds of lawn mowers as they help remind us of God’s creation. Yes, I know the sounds can be annoying when trying to catch an afternoon nap on the porch, but that’s another story. I don’t know about you, but there is something deeply satisfying within my soul after a morning working in the yard, realizing that I am partnering with God in maintaining His creation. “To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow.” (Audrey Hepburn) “And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.” (Gen 1:26 KJV)

We welcome the summer sounds of thunderstorms as they awaken our senses to the immense power of God. Summer brings unexpected afternoon storms with the sudden darkening of the sky, the rumble of thunder, and the repeated lightning strikes. The devastation of storms often leaves behind communities struggling to cope, individuals whose lives have been upended, and neighborhoods demolished. Yet in the aftermath of these summer storms, there is the calm assurance that God is still in control. Even after the summer storms of life, the Psalmist wrote in Psalm 46: “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells. God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day.” (vvs 1-5 NIV)

We welcome the evening refrain of summer night sounds as they wrap us in a cozy hug of comfort. John Steinbeck wrote, “What good is the warmth of summer, without the cold of winter to give it sweetness?” Solomon wrote similarly in Song of Songs, “See! The winter is past; the rains are over and gone. Flowers appear on the earth; the season of singing has come, the cooing of doves is heard in our land.” (Song of Songs 2:11-12)

Lord, I am forever thankful for the life lessons you give through the simple acts of nature and life. The changing seasons equip us for the challenges that life will bring.

You give us the springtime to teach us the importance of preparation. Sowing the seeds of faith which will be needed in the years ahead. Though we can’t see anything happening, the seeds are sprouting roots that will anchor us when the winds of adversity blow.

You give us summer to watch the seeds break through the hard soil, begin to grow, and bear the fruit from our labor. We know we will face unexpected storms that will blow hard against us, but the plants of faith, prayer, and trust will provide the roots to hold us against the unrelenting storms of life.

You give us autumn as a time of gathering in our harvest and times to celebrate and worship You. We can open the barn doors of our souls and see the abundance of what You have provided.

Finally, winter will come when we must learn to stop our labor and rest in your care. There is no more time for planting or harvesting by us, but the fields have been left ready for the next generation. We can now look forward with excitement and expectation of what will come.

That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither—whatever they do prospers. Psalm 1:3 NIV

God is great!

Healthy Obsession

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As the deer pants for the water brooks, So my soul pants for You, God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God; When shall I come and appear before God? Psalm 42:1-2 NASB2020

What is the greatest obsession that drives your day? It might be getting that job promotion you have been wanting, along with a nice salary increase. Perhaps it is moving into the big house on the corner with the manicured lawn. Many may find just getting out of bed in the morning without pain is their obsession.

John Hinckley Jr became obsessed with actress Jodie Foster after seeing her in a movie. Over the years, she became all-consuming in his thoughts and actions, an obsession that would drive him to attempt the assassination of President Ronald Reagan in March 1981. Hinckley traveled from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. on a Greyhound bus with his plan to get Foster’s attention.

The day of the shooting, he spent the morning writing a letter to Foster. “As you well know by now I love you very much. Over the past seven months, I’ve left you dozens of poems, letters and love messages in the faint hope that you could develop an interest in me. Although we talked on the phone a couple of times, I never had the nerve to simply approach you and introduce myself…The reason I’m going ahead with this attempt now is because I cannot wait any longer to impress you. I’ve got to do something now to make you understand, in no uncertain terms, that I am doing all of this for your sake! (Excerpt from Hinckley’s March 30 letter)

We all have something that becomes an obsession for us; thankfully, few of us allow an obsession to drive us to the dark side like it did Hinckley. However, there is an obsession that gives life, purpose, and joy. It is an obsession that has been part of generations and continues to consume those who will allow it. That obsession is God himself. Jesus tells us that it is a total and unwavering devotion to God, encompassing every aspect of our lives – an obsession not of feelings but of a commitment that influences thoughts, emotions, and actions.

Jesus simply says, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.” (Mark 12:29-31)

Oswald Chambers writes, “The total being of our life inside and out is to be absolutely obsessed by the presence of God. If we are obsessed by God, nothing else can get into our lives—not concerns, tribulation, nor worries. To be obsessed by God is to have an effective barricade against all the assaults of the enemy.”

One of the most quoted verses in the entire Bible is Deuteronomy 6:4-9. Known as the Shema, they are recited every morning and every evening by Orthodox Jews and have been for generations. “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.”

The Psalmist writes of a hunger and thirst that can only be satisfied through God in Psalm 42.  Recently, my family and I had the opportunity to be in South Africa’s Kruger National Park. There is something always life-giving when watching animals in their natural habitat. It is amazing to watch these magnificent animals as they move about the day, but especially when they begin moving towards their water sources, totally consumed by the need for water, even knowing the dangers that may be there. We have that same innate need for God that pulls us toward Him daily.

Paul David Tripp on Psalm 42 writes, “Be honest today: Do you hunger after and long for God? Are you like a parched deer, panting for water? Does longing for God propel your devotional life, your relationships, and your participation in public worship? Longing for God will always produce love for the people of God and joyful participation in the public worship of God.”

Jesus calls us into an obsession with God, but only because God has been obsessed with us from the beginning of time. Without doing a thing, we are already deeply and completely loved by God. “This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.” (I John 4:9-10)

David writes of the priceless love of God in Psalm 36:7 that people take refuge in His shadow.

John writes of a sacrificing love of God that articulates His love for us in John 3:16.

Isaiah writes of a surrounding love of God in Isaiah 43:2 when facing major obstacles.

Zephaniah writes of a comforting love of God in Zephaniah 3:17. “The LORD your God is with you the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.”

Nancy Ortberg, in her book Looking For God, writes that in a dark hour of her life, God was there for her, even if she couldn’t see Him. “Slowly I began to understand that I had been seeing God from such a narrow perspective. I had boxed God up and compartmentalized Him into thirty minutes each morning. But in reality, He had been waiting for me to realize that He had invaded all the parts of my day, if I would just pay attention.”

We wake up every day with thousands of messages vying for our attention. Unfortunately, a few will become an obsession. Yet in God’s obsession with us, he seeks us with an unrelenting love. What will your obsession be today?

God is great!

The Gift of Summer

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Better one handful with tranquility than two handfuls with toil and chasing after the wind. Ecc 4:6

“Spring being a tough act to follow, God created June.” (AI Bernstein)

Spring was anything but relaxing if you lived in the path of a busy tornado season or had kids in school. Memorial Day unofficially marks the beginning of summer when, theoretically, the pace of life slows down as kids are out of school, church activities get reduced, and the days are longer. Theoretically was the word I used, reality tells a different story. The days of yesterday, when you lazily stretched out on the grass to watch white, fluffy clouds move overhead, seem to be a fairy tale or at best, the figment of someone’s imagination.

For those who live in the North American region, June famously welcomes the return of those mystical little creatures called Hummingbirds. These unique little birds return after a restful vacation in South America for a long winter. Flying thousands of miles, they return to the same geographical area each year, and being gifted with amazing memories, they remember every flower and feeder they’ve visited. They are true lovers of sugar as they go straight for the glucose. These little birds eat more than twice their body weight daily, so they are not good role models if you want to lose weight.

Hummingbirds’ survival depends upon their staying in a nearly constant state of motion. These little “charmers” (that is what a group of Hummingbirds is called) hover over their food with wings fluttering at 50 times per second and heartbeats racing at 1,260 times per minute. There is just something relaxing about watching hummingbirds dart in and out at their feeder.

God made the hummingbirds to be in a constant state of motion, but he didn’t make you or me that way. God’s final stroke to his creative masterpiece, called creation, was simply “rest”. The other acts of creation have the description “And God saw that it was good” but on His final act of creation He didn’t call it good, He called it “holy.”

What a difference this one day of rest could make in our rhythm of life. “By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so, on the seventh day he rested from all his work. Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.” (Gen 2:2-3) John Lubbock writes, “Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass under trees on a summer’s day, listening to the murmur of the water, or watching the clouds float across the sky, is by no means a waste of time.”

You can name a lot of reasons, but somehow we tend to live with a hummingbird mentality, always in constant motion. Instead, God offered a model, or better yet, a God-given gift of rest. Somehow, we have been convinced that to survive, we have to be in a constant state of motion. The Psalmist reminds us in Psalm 74, “But God is my King from long ago; he brings salvation on the earth…The day is yours, and yours also the night; you established the sun and moon. It was you who set all the boundaries of the earth; you made both summer and winter.”

Living at full speed can be physically draining, emotionally taxing, and spiritually deadening. Slowing down opens our soul more fully to God’s presence. David understood how the soul needed rest and God’s desire to give his children. “He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul.” (Psalm 23:2-3a)

“The reason speed does violence against our souls is because our souls were meant to be tended to. There’s a preciousness, a tenderness to our souls that requires a slow observation. And so, when we’re living at this chaotic pace, we don’t give our souls the opportunity to rest, to breathe, to receive the nutrients from God that we desperately need.” (Rich Villodas)

Summer months can be a reflective time to focus on God’s gift of rest. “So, they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place.”—Mark 6:32. Summer months can bring something magical if we simply slow life’s pace down to spend a little time reflecting, pondering, or meditating. “It was June, and the world smelled of roses. The sunshine was like powdered gold over the grassy hillside.” (Maud Hart Lovelace)

The summer evening harmony of crickets, cicadas, and laughing children relaxes the soul and welcomes a place where you can “Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him” Psalm 37:7a

The warm balmy summer evenings give you a place to release your problems and anxiety as you are reminded, “The winter is past; the rains are over and gone. Flowers appear on the earth; the season of singing has come, the cooing of doves is heard in our land.” (Song of Songs 2:11-12)

The same summer months that bring the hummingbirds also bring the weeds in the garden and seemingly never-ending mowing. What you do with it becomes the question. Margaret Guenther reminds us, “Our waiting on God, then, requires ongoing attentiveness if it is to be more than an empty exercise in passivity. When we pay attention, our awareness is sharpened.”

Summer! What a great time to spread your blanket on top of the freshly mowed grass and spend a little time just pondering this beautiful creation of God. “A heart at peace gives life to the body,” (Pr 14:30a)

God is great!

I am reposting this in celebration of summer. We are in South Africa, revisiting many of the places that were part of our beginning journey in missions. Blessings to all!

The Flow of Life

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Photo by Rahul Sapra

 

They are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. God presented him as the mercy seat by his blood, through faith, to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his restraint God passed over the sins previously committed. Romans 3:24-25

How would you like your child’s first words to be “snakes”? I am most grateful that our son’s first words were “lawnmower.” Visiting a snake park in Pretoria, South Africa, years ago, the guide shared with us that some of his first words were snake, and he just loved snakes! I’m not sure of the reason. Tim Friede decided it would be a great but unusual hobby to let venomous snakes bite him, but it turned into a passion.

Friede is a snake enthusiast from Wisconsin and is now the director of herpetology at the biotech startup Centivax. In 2001, he was a truck mechanic when he allowed a venomous cobra to bite him, with the aim of building up his own immunity as he pursued his hobby. He has experienced 200 bites from “all manner of venomous snakes” and injected himself with the venom of 700 specimens.

Friede is a walking specimen for research. Centivax CEO, Dr. Jacob Glanville, was looking for a source of antibodies for broad protection from venom when he told Friede, “I’d love to get my hands on some of your blood.” Out of Friede’s blood, Centivax created an antivenom that offers “unparalleled” protection against 13 lethal snakes and partial protection from six others. According to the report, over 140,000 people die annually from snake bites, and another 450,000 are seriously injured. Centivax could end up dominating the estimated $600 million antivenom market, all because of one man’s obsession with snakes. (info from Holly Van Leuven article)

I’m not a big fan of snake bites, but I’m thankful Friede’s blood can be put to use for the well-being of others. The Cleveland Clinic website describes blood as an essential life force, constantly moving through the body, carrying oxygen and nutrients, and keeping us healthy.

Every two seconds, someone in the United States needs blood and or platelets, according to the American Red Cross, supplied by roughly 6.8 million people giving 13.6 million units. That is a lot of blood, considering the average adult carries about 10 pints of blood or 1.3 gallons. Forty-five % of people are O positive or negative, with 7% having O negative blood, which can mix with any blood type. Life is in the blood!

The spiritual parallel is so obvious, having just recently finished celebrating Easter, and in a couple of weeks, Pentecost. Culturally and spiritually, blood has always represented life, sacrifice, and potential for good and evil. We read in Leviticus, “For the life of a creature is in the blood, and I have appointed it to you to make atonement on the altar for your lives, since it is the lifeblood that makes atonement.” (17:11)

Dr. Henry Morris wrote about the scientific accuracy hidden in the pages of Scripture. “There are many unexpected scientific truths that have lain hidden within its pages for thousands of years only to be recognized and appreciated in recent times. These principles are not expressed in modern technical jargon, of course, but nevertheless are presented accurately and beautifully, indicating remarkable understanding of nature by these ancient authors far in advance of their ‘discovery’ by modern scientists.”

Blood became the symbol of the unique covenant between God and his people. “Moses took the blood, splattered it on the people, and said, “This is the blood of the covenant that the LORD has made with you concerning all these words.” (Exodus 24:8)

The gift of blood can tip the scales of life and death. The American Red Cross states that a single car accident victim can require as many as 100 units of blood. Donors willingly lay their arms out in a simple gesture of life as the technician inserts a needle to pull out the necessary blood that will give life to a stranger.

Jesus willingly laid out his arms so that His blood would become life for those not deserving of the gift. Yet it would be willingly given that those who received it would have a total transfusion of life.

“As they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take and eat it; this is my body.” Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks, he gave it to them and said, “Drink from it, all of you. For this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. But I tell you, I will not drink from this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.” (Matt 26:26-29)

You may not have been in a car wreck, resulting in a need for a blood transfusion, but all of us have been in a life wreck that, without the blood transfusion of Jesus, we have no chance.

“In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace that he richly poured out on us with all wisdom and understanding.” (Ephesians 1:7-8)

“His Cross is the door by which every member of the human race can enter into the life of God; by His resurrection He has the right to give eternal life to anyone, and by His Ascension our Lord entered heaven, keeping the door open for humanity.” (Oswald Chambers)

God is great!

A Lasting Impact

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Photo by Holly Adams

So now I charge you in the sight of all Israel and of the assembly of the LORD and in the hearing of our God: Be careful to follow all the commands of the LORD your God, that you may possess this good land and pass it on as an inheritance to your descendants forever. I Chronicles 28:8 NIV

Secretariat, considered one of the greatest racehorses of all time, won the Kentucky Derby last week. The first time he won was in 1973, winning the iconic Triple Crown Championship. Though Secretariat died in 1989, every racer in this year’s Kentucky Derby was his descendant. Sovereignty, who actually won the race, is a 5th-generation descendant. Whether in the animal or human world, that is a major accomplishment.

I doubt that Secretariat, the horse, gave much thought to what impact he would have on the generations that followed, but his owners most definitely did. Unfortunately, many people don’t consider what impact they will have on their 5th-generation descendants.

Mother’s Day was celebrated this past Sunday in the United States and several other countries worldwide. The roots for recognizing Mother’s Day began with Anna Jarvis’ efforts to recognize the important role of Mothers. Congress finally passed an amendment in 1914 recognizing Mother’s Day as an official holiday, with President  Woodrow Wilson signing it into law.

I have no doubts that since you are reading this post, you have a mother! Regardless of your age, whether she is still living or not, you can highlight the good and the not-so-good about her impact on your life. I had a wonderful mother; she was an encourager, loved people, took me to church whenever it was open, and could ask some of the most off-the-wall questions in the world. God used her impact in my life to plant seeds of faith and to learn to answer off-the-wall questions.

Agatha Christie said it well, “A mother’s love for her child is like nothing else in the world. It knows no law, no pity. It dares all things and crushes down remorselessly all that stands in its path.” Booker T. Washington wrote, “If I have done anything in life worth attention, I feel sure that I inherited the disposition from my mother.”

“Your life is always shaped by the counsel you seek, listen to, and follow.” (Paul David Tripp). The vast majority of mothers do not have a degree in counseling or psychology, but they have provided a lifetime of counsel that will make a difference even in the 5th generation of their lineage. Mother’s Day provided us with an opportunity to pause and say thank you or to reflect on the person she was in our lives.

We do not get to choose how long we are on earth, but we do get to choose what impact we leave behind. How we impact the next generation will look different for each person, but there will be an impact.

Andrew Carnegie wrote an essay called The Gospel of Wealth in 1889, which became a critical piece of Bill Gates’ surprising announcement this week.  He said that he plans to give away most of his wealth before he dies. Gates, undoubtedly one of the richest men in the world, said that “There are too many urgent problems to solve for me to hold onto resources that could be used to help people.” Gates went on to say, “People will say a lot of things about me when I die, but I am determined that ‘he died rich’ will not be one of them.”

“God does not look at the external splendor of our work, but to the honesty and sincerity of it. God will rather forget princes, lords, mighty men of the earth, and vain and sinful potentates, than pass by a poor servant that fears him. Whoever seeks him will be sure to find him a rewarder.” Thomas Manton wrote this in the 1600’s but the truth of it is as relevant today as it was then.

David was approaching the end of his life. He had conquered empires, built buildings, united Israel as a nation, and made a ton of mistakes. Yet he never wavered in his love or passion for God. The one thing that he wanted to do more than anything was to build a temple to worship God. David had prepared for the building, laid out the design, and had the resources ready to begin. He was called a “man after God’s own heart”, so the answer to David’s prayer should be a resounding yes, right? Wrong, the answer was no, anyway, the way David wanted it answered.

David desired to build a place that would glorify God, but God would answer his prayer through his son, Solomon. “Your son Solomon is the one who shall build My house and My courtyards; for I have chosen him to be a son to Me, and I will be a Father to him.” (I Chron 28:6)

David accepted the no, trusting that God knew best. David accepted the no, immediately beginning the process of equipping Solomon for the task by laying out the plans and providing the accumulated resources for the building. David accepted the no, giving Solomon a word of blessing. “Be strong and courageous, and act; do not fear nor be dismayed, for the LORD God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you nor forsake you until all the work for the service of the house of the LORD is finished.” (I Chron 28:20). David accepted the no, praying for his son. “And give my son Solomon a perfect heart to keep Your commandments, Your testimonies, and Your statutes, and to do them all, and to build the temple for which I have made provision.”

Society will recognize a few people by naming buildings and streets after them, but those buildings and roads will eventually fall into disrepair. Groups will recognize a few people by having monuments erected out of stone or metal, only to have a place for birds to rest on. However, those who passed on a legacy of faith and hope will impact the lives of their children, neighbors, co-workers, and friends, leaving behind living monuments. “I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also.” (2 Timothy 1:5 NIV)

Building Living Monuments for God’s glory!

God is great!