No Joy in Judgment

My heart weeps for Moab. Its people flee to Zoar and Eglath-shelishiyah. Weeping, they climb the road to Luhith. Their crying can be heard all along the road to Horonaim. Even the waters of Nimrim are dried up! The grassy banks are scorched, and the tender plants are gone. The desperate refugees take only the possessions they can carry and flee across the Ravine of Willows. The whole land of Moab is a land of weeping from one end to the other--from Eglaim to Beer-elim. The stream near Dibon runs red with blood, but I am still not finished with Dibon! Lions will hunt down the survivors, both those who try to run and those who remain behind. Moab's refugees at Sela send lambs to Jerusalem as a token of alliance with the king of Judah. The women of Moab are left like homeless birds at the shallow crossings of the Arnon River. "Help us," they cry. "Defend us against our enemies. Protect us from their relentless attack. Do not betray us. Let our outcasts stay among you. Hide them from our enemies until the terror is past." When oppression and destruction have ceased and enemy raiders have disappeared, then David's throne will be established by love. From that throne a faithful king will reign, one who always does what is just and right. (Isaiah 15:5-9; 16:1-5, NLV).

I have been asked the question many times “Does God enjoy showing His wrath?” Often there are those who tell us that some great catastrophe is the result of God’s wrath. It is almost as if these purveyors of guilt and fear would have us believe that God is some great ogre sitting in His heaven waiting to punish the least misstep with glee. Nothing could be further from the truth of Scripture. From the comments of some non-Christians, you might think that God couldn’t wait to drop the hammer. They aren’t the only ones. Even Christians sometimes wonder where the whole chastening and wrath thing fits in when considering a loving, gracious God.

We can see this in today’s verses. When God revealed to Isaiah the consequences facing the nation of Moab, Isaiah responded much like God. He wept. Twice, when warning them, Isaiah wept for a nation called Moab, who wanted to destroy Israel. Why all the sorrow? Should Isaiah have cheered for the disaster? "Yeah, God, go get ’em!" Probably not, for a couple of reasons.

First, the region of Moab had once been part of the Jewish nation. Many of the cities in Moab had been given to the tribes of Gad and Reuben. Something had not gone according to God’s plan, and the region had been conquered by a nation hostile toward Israel. In the same way, when we stray from God we end up yielding territory to the enemy. What should belong to God is governed by a hostile power. That’s sad. There cannot be joy when anyone, enemy or friend, is under the influence of the enemy. Second, God does not rejoice when we face the consequences of sin. He sees how sin hurts His creation. He longs for all people to repent and follow Him. When they choose their own way, heading for hurt, He does not smugly enjoy it. We create misconceptions of God in our own minds. Our wrong ideas are based more on our limited perspective than on the Bible. When we try to understand God apart from His Word, we are bound to make mistakes. Our God is a God of mercy and grace. Turn to Him today and find forgiveness and peace.

Second Best

Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food. Incline your ear, and come to me; hear, that your soul may live; and I will make with you an everlasting covenant, my steadfast, sure love for David. Behold, I made him a witness to the peoples, a leader and commander for the peoples. Behold, you shall call a nation that you do not know, and a nation that did not know you shall run to you, because of the LORD your God, and of the Holy One of Israel, for he has glorified you. “Seek the LORD while he may be found; call upon him while he is near; let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the LORD, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. (Isaiah 55:1-7 ESV).

In David Wilcox’s "Eye of the Hurricane," he sings about a young woman who has given up on finding what she really wants in life:

"Hope is gone," she confessed;
When you lay your dream to rest,
You can get what’s second best;
But it’s hard to get enough."

That’s the trouble with everything in life that’s second best. It tastes good at first but quickly becomes bitter; it’s initially exciting but eventually boring; it’s never fulfilling and always addictive; it’s a nightmare that begins when we surrender our best dreams, and it has haunted the human heart since the dawn of time.

In today’s Scripture the prophet Isaiah recorded this invitation from God: Why spend your money on food that does not give you strength? Why pay for food that does you no good? Listen, and I will tell you where to get food that is good for the soul! Jesus said, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me will never go hungry, and he who believes in Me will never be thirsty" (cf. John 6:35).

Jesus offers a life that really satisfies. Giving ourselves to Christ is choosing God’s best. You can do it today, no matter how badly you’ve damaged your yesterdays. "Second best" is not some kind of lifelong curse that accompanies a bad decision. We make many important choices with powerful consequences, but they should not condemn us to perpetual discouragement. Today, tomorrow, and every day to come, it’s possible to embrace God’s best and walk with Him along the pathway of joy. "Now choose life . . . that you may love the Lord your God, listen to His voice, and hold fast to Him. For the Lord is your life" (cf. Deuteronomy 30:19-20). Today can be a new beginning for you. And that’s the best!

A Matter of Building

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’ Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.” And when Jesus finished these sayings, the crowds were astonished at his teaching, for he was teaching them as one who had authority, and not as their scribes. (Matthew 7:21-29 ESV).

Life is a matter of building. Each of us has the opportunity to build something whether it be a secure family, a good reputation, a career, or a relationship to God. But some of those things can disappear almost overnight due to financial losses, natural disasters and other unforeseen difficulties. What are we to do? Daniel Webster offered excellent advice, saying:

“If we work on marble it will perish. If we work on brass, time will efface it. If we rear temples, they will crumble to dust. But if we work on men’s immortal minds, if we imbue them with high principles, with just fear of God and love of their fellow-men, we engrave on those tablets something which time cannot efface, and which will brighten and brighten to all eternity.”

The key to this kind of building is in putting first things first. Haddon Robinson points out that one old recipe for rabbit started out with this injunction: “First catch the rabbit.” Says Robinson: “The writer knew how to put first things first. That’s what we do when we establish priorities, we put the things that should be in first place in their proper order. There are many things that we can involve ourselves in doing, most of which are good things. However, there are only a few “first things.” If our lives are to be the kind that will withstand the storms of life, it is important to do those first things. One of those things is prayer. The act of communicating with God is essential to establishing our lives on a sure foundation.

Most people don’t pray effectively because they have not made it the habit of their lives. There is plenty of habitual prayer that takes place in our lives, but making prayer the habit of our lives is much different than that. Genuine communication with God is like talking to your best friend. Often the subject is not crisis oriented, it is centered on the continued development and maintenance of relationship. I know that sounds and feels strange, but the more you practice that kind of prayer, the more you will establish a firm foundation for your life. Practice is the key.

Quarterback Tony Rice led Notre Dame’s football team to a national championship in 1988. Before the season, sportswriters wondered whether Notre Dame could beat the tough teams with a quarterback like Rice, whose passing often was inaccurate. They didn’t know that coach Lou Holtz had brought Rice a dartboard and told him to practice throwing darts an hour a day. Rice didn’t see how that would help his passing, but he did as his coach said. Soon he began to throw passes with more accuracy and confidence, both of which were evidenced in a banner season. Christians likewise find the practice of prayer on a regular basis will improve the action. Any activity will improve with practice. How’s your prayer today? Talk; really talk, to Him. He's waiting to hear from you now.

Permission Granted

Oh, foolish Galatians! What magician has cast an evil spell on you? For you used to see the meaning of Jesus Christ's death as clearly as though I had shown you a signboard with a picture of Christ dying on the cross. Have you lost your senses? After starting your Christian lives in the Spirit, why are you now trying to become perfect by your own human effort? So Christ has really set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don't get tied up again in slavery to the law. For you have been called to live in freedom – not freedom to satisfy your sinful nature, but freedom to serve one another in love. (Galatians 3:1,3; 5:1,13 NLV).

Many years ago when I was in the corps at Texas A & M, there was a very special phrase used to secure leave for the weekend. It was Permission Granted. Without those words stamped on our request for weekend leave, we simply were unable to leave the campus. Everyone looked forward to receiving those words stamped on our request! It was instant acceptance! And, all it took was those two words!

Isn't strange then how reluctant we are to give ourselves permission to do, to think, to say, to buy and enjoy, or to be different and not worry about who may say what? Even though our God has graciously granted us permission to be free, to have liberty, to break the chains of rigidity, and enjoy this life so much, many in His family seldom give themselves permission. So many use strange reasoning: I mean, after all, what would people say?" or "Well. I wasn't raised to enjoy life, I was taught to be more conservative, more reasonable, more responsible and serious than that." So goes the persuasion of an oversensitive conscience trained in the school of Negativism. Tragic, no, worse than that, it is not Scriptural!

This is what the Apostle Paul meant when he wrote to the Christians in Galatia. God, in grace has purchased us from bondage. Christ has literally set us free. The Spirit of the Lord has provided long awaited liberty. Do you know your biggest hurdle? You. It is giving yourself permission, plain and simple. If you fail to press on while the light is green, you will spend so much of your life in the amber zone waiting for " just the right moment" or " a time when most people will understand" that you will find yourself on your deathbed surrounded by regrets. He did not create you to walk around being miserable with a frown on your face, a heart so surrounded by false legalistic rules and false submission that nothing can get through. What is worse nothing can get out. No genuine love, compassion, empathy or joy. So go ahead take off your socks and shoes. Run barefoot in the grass, through a stream. Be daring. I know this may be hard, don't feel guilty! Really step out, smile at a cashier tell them how grateful you are the line was so long, because you got to read the novel you were going to buy and now don't have to. And hand it to Him! (Just kidding!)

Seriously, be daring. Enjoy the life that God created you to enjoy and Jesus purchased for you. You are His beautiful creation, His child. You have been freed from the yoke of bondage, of slavery and you are His heirs. Go ahead. The light is not only green; the Light is Jesus Himself! He has given you your stamp: Permission Granted!

Can't See the Well for the Bushes

Anxiety, it grips us and rips us apart at times. Webster's Dictionary defines anxiety as "an abnormal and overwhelming sense of apprehension and fear often marked by physiological signs (such as sweating, tension, and increased pulse), by doubt concerning the reality and nature of the threat, and by self-doubt about one's capacity to cope with it."

Anxiety is often created by apprehension of an event that has not occurred and most often never does occur. But in the midst of anxious feelings, it is very difficult to be realistic. That is why it is so important to have a friend that can help you see past the emotions and into reality. Look at Hagar and her anxiety over being sent away from Abraham with her teenage child Ishmael.

When the water in the skin was gone, she put the child under one of the bushes. Then she went and sat down opposite him a good way off, about the distance of a bowshot, for she said, “Let me not look on the death of the child.” And as she sat opposite him, she lifted up her voice and wept. And God heard the voice of the boy, and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven and said to her, “What troubles you, Hagar? Fear not, for God has heard the voice of the boy where he is. Up! Lift up the boy, and hold him fast with your hand, for I will make him into a great nation.” Then God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water. And she went and filled the skin with water and gave the boy a drink. (Genesis 21:15-19 ESV).

I find it interesting that God heard Ishmael's prayers. It makes me wonder if Hagar was so caught up in her misery and was so overcome that she could not even pray to God for help. God is faithful. God had promised Hagar in the past that Ishmael would grow up to be the father of a great nation. God seems so far away though, when we are so bogged down in anxiety and worry. God never leaves us. We turn from Him. He is there, waiting like a patient father.

Did you notice the solution to Hagar's problem was within sight of her? Or, did you notice that God's answer was right there in front of her in the form of a well? When Hagar stopped and listened to God, Hagar was given the answer. When Hagar was depending on Hagar, there was no hope. With God there is hope and through Christ there is hope for all of us. Like the old cliché, "you can't see the forest for the trees," Hagar could not see the well for the bushes. So often God's answers are right in front of us. We just need to stop long enough to pray and listen. We need to seek counsel from our wise Christian friends, who can see the wells apart from the bushes and help us do the same.

The Fall of the Year

As the fall has begun in Tennessee, I am reminded of that “season of life” we all face when death touches our family or friends. As we or our loved ones get older we face our mortality more. If this is such a time in your life I have a few verses that I pray will touch your heart today. I know I have been using the ESV lately, but these verses seemed better in the New Living Translation.

But now, O Israel, the LORD who created you says: "Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine. When you go through deep waters and great trouble, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown! When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. For I am the LORD, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. (Isaiah 43:1-3 NLV).

The LORD is my light and my salvation – so why should I be afraid? The LORD protects me from danger – so why should I tremble? Yet I am confident that I will see the LORD's goodness while I am here in the land of the living. Wait patiently for the LORD. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the LORD. (Psalm 27:1, 13-14 NLV).

Don't be troubled. You trust God, now trust in me. There are many rooms in my Father's home, and I am going to prepare a place for you. If this were not so, I would tell you plainly. When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am. And you know where I am going and how to get there. "No, we don't know, Lord," Thomas said. "We haven't any idea where you are going, so how can we know the way?" Jesus told him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.” (John 14:1-6 NLV).

So often there really aren’t words to adequately express the depth of emotions we feel during a time of grief or loss. I read the following poem, written by Louise Nelms some years ago just prior to the death at my mother-in-law’s funeral. I pray it will speak to you in whatever stage of grief you may be. It is titled, “Miss Me, But Let Me Go.”


When I come to the end of the road
And the sun has set for me
Remember, I am free of a heavy load.
Don’t cry for a soul set free.

Miss me a little – but not too long,
And not with you head bowed low.
Remember the love we all shared.
Miss me – but let me go.

This is a journey we all have to take
And each must go alone.
It’s just a part of our Master’s plan,
A step on the road home.

When you’re lonely and sick at heart,
Go to the friends we know
And bury your sorrows in doing the Lord’s work.
Miss me – but let me go.
There have been many losses we have experienced through the years. We miss them, but as treasure deposited and reserved, we know they wait for us in the arms of our Savior! Thanks be to God, who gives us that victory!

The Stained Glass Window

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. (2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV).

During World War II our bombers wreaked havoc over Europe to help bring an end to the war. In a small village near an industrial plant, one of our bombs fell off-course and destroyed the village cathedral. After the war, the people of the village gathered any items that they had of any value and gave them to the pastor to sell, in order to buy materials to rebuild their place of worship. A year passed and the pastor hired an architect to draw up the plans for the new building. After the drawings were completed and the townspeople had given to the pastor everything but the bare necessities that they needed to live on, a contractor was hired to rebuild the cathedral. The contractor was given a strict time frame in which to complete the building. He had no trouble finding brick masons, stonecutters, carpenters and other craftsmen to work on the project. He needed three stained glass artisans to complete the project on time, but could only find two in postwar Europe. One day a disheveled-looking little man came to the contractor and said he was a stained glass artisan and had heard the contractor needed a third worker. The contractor scoffed at the little man with tattered clothes, unkempt hair and a rough face covered with stubble of a beard: “You? You are a stained glass artisan?” "Yes," replied the little man with a smile. "Not only that, I will work for three meals a day and a place to sleep at night. When my window is finished and if you and the townspeople approve of it, then pay me the same rate of pay that you are paying the other two artisans." The contractor felt like he could not lose and agreed to the man’s requests. As the little man was leaving, he asked for one more item. “Could you put a curtain around the window where I will be working? I don’t like people watching me work.” “Sure, okay,” replied the contractor. He asked the man’s name, but he said his name was not important.

Months went by and the building rose from the ashes. Every morning the little man would speak to the other two stained glass men and then quietly go behind his curtain to work. As the contractor’s deadline neared, he grew more and more nervous about what the window would look like or if it would even be finished on time. Finally the day came for the townspeople to inspect their new cathedral. The contractor showed off the fine woodwork, the precision cut stones, the glistening marble and then moved over to the first two stained glass windows. The beauty of their new church home astounded the people. A quiet hush fell over the building as they approached the curtain covering the third window. All they heard was the tapping of a hammer. The contractor barked out, “Are you finished yet?” The little man tapped his hammer one last time and said, “Sure, take the curtain down!”

There, before the people, was the most magnificent, most wonderful, most elegant and most beautiful stained glass window anyone had ever seen. Tears welled up in their eyes as they admired the craftsmanship and the pure beauty of the glass used to make the window. The contractor was relieved to see the astonishing work. He asked the little man for his name again. Yet once more, the little man said his name was not important. Then the contractor asked him if he could at least tell them were he got the glass to make the window. It was far superior to all the glass in the other two windows. "Sure," replied the little man. "Every morning as I talked to the other two workers, I would reach down into their trash barrels and take out the broken, unwanted pieces of glass. I used those discarded pieces to make my window."

That is just a story, but it is a story that has a lot of meaning to me. It is my story, it is the story of some of you and it’s a story that someday will have meaning for others of you. It is a story that tells how God, working through others, can take whatever you have become and make you whole again. It does not matter how shattered, broken or discarded you feel, nor does it matter what sins you have committed. He can put you back together in a far superior manner than you alone can. Are you feeling like a discarded piece of glass that will never amount to anything? I don't know who you are, but I do know that if you will let Him, God is not going to stop working on you and He will never give up on you until you become all that He intends for you to become.

Who Needs Armor? (Part 3)

Praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak. (Ephesians 6:18-20 ESV).

In the first two parts of “Who Needs the Armor?” we saw that we needed to equip ourselves with the kind of equipment that God had provided for us. Now that we are dressed and ready it is time to go forth into battle.

Paul says we are to pray at all times. Prayer is like air support. We have seen in modern warfare that air support is essential to victory. In fact, in Desert Storm, General Colin Powell said that whoever controlled the air controlled the outcome of the war. He was proven correct. So we need to “control the air.” Prayer does that. Prayer is not an alternative to preparing for battle but an essential part of it.

During the days immediately preceding the battle of Gettysburg, Jeb Stuart was conspicuously absent from the area. It was the assignment of the cavalry in that day to be the eyes and ears of the army. Lee and his generals went into battle without the necessary information to win. Historians agree that had they known the lay of the land better and been informed of the positions of the union army, the outcome of the battle might have been far different. It was the turning point of the war and ultimately led to the South’s surrender. They had no “air cover.” Prayer for the Christian covers them. Too many Christians simply don’t pray. They are unequipped for the battle and defenseless in the face of their enemy. If you have difficulty praying, find a partner who will help you to find the presence of God and draw upon His strength and power.

What battles are you fighting? Which ones are God’s battles too? What preparations do you need to make? Remind yourself with us is the LORD our God to help us and to fight our battles. Do you need armor? Do not go into the battle unprepared. Too many Christians often surrender their weapons to a skeptical world. They go into the fray outnumbered, unarmed, and unprotected. They become casualties in the battle. Put on your armor and stand against your enemy! You will win the fight!

Who Needs Armor? (Part 2)

The Apostle Paul is very clear about the pieces of armor we have to enter into the battle with our enemy, the Devil. As you prepare to engage Satan in spiritual warfare, don’t be intimidated by his influence. Use the full armor of God and stand together with other believers. The order in which Paul describes the armor of God is significant.

Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. (Ephesians 6:14-17 ESV).

1. First there is the belt of truth. First, a soldier, like the one Paul was chained to when he wrote this letter, would fasten his belt around his waist. The belt a Roman soldier wore was about 6 inches wide, and formed the foundation for his armor. Likewise, truth is the foundation of our armor that protects us from the father of lies. Jesus said in John 14:6, I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me. God’s Word is truth, and Jesus is the Word made flesh. One of the factors in the rapid decay of society is the lack of any absolute, objective truth thanks to relative humanism. Satan fights with lies, and sometimes his lies sound like truth; but only believers have God’s absolute truth, which has defeated Satan’s lies. Through study of the Scripture and reliance on the Holy Spirit, you may know the truth.

2. Second, there is the breastplate of righteousness. Next, the soldier puts on the breastplate to protect his vital organs. Satan attacks our heart, the seat of our emotions, self-worth and trust. God’s righteousness is the breastplate that protects our heart and ensures His approval. God approves of us because He loves us and sent His Son to die for us. We are His children and nothing can change that fact. We are loved through Jesus Christ.

3. Third, there are the shoes of peace. A soldier's shoes were very important. They enabled him to maintain his footing in a fight. Even the slightest slip and his life could be forfeited. Satan wants us to think that there are no firm footings for us. He wants us to believe that we can’t be sure of our standing with God. We can stand firm. Paul declared that nothing could separate us from His love (cf. Romans 8:31-37).

4. Fourth, there is the shield of faith. This is a complete reliance on God. Satan’s attacks come in the form of insults, setbacks, and temptations. But the shield of faith protects us. With God’s perspective, we can see beyond our immediate circumstances and know that ultimate victory is ours. This is the essence of faith.

5. Fifth, there is the helmet of salvation. Satan wants to make us doubt God. Through our constant celebration of our redemption through personal worship and praise we renew our understanding of the presence of God in our lives and know that we are saved. When the devil whispers doubt in our mind’s ear we will recognize the lie for what it is and turn it away.

6. Sixth, there is the sword of the Spirit. A sword is both a defensive and offensive weapon. It is the only offensive weapon in this list of armor. A sword is only effective if it is used properly. Jesus used the Word in response to the temptations of Satan in the wilderness before he began his earthly ministry. That is our example. When Satan attacks, fight back with the Sword of the Spirit. Study and memorize Scripture to take up this “sword” in your life.

Each of these pieces builds on the other. We cannot afford to be without any one of them. Today, begin to put them on, one by one, and equip yourself for the battle that is a part of life in this world.

Who Needs Armor? (Part 1)

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. (Ephesians 6:10-13 ESV).

Bill once had a job as a truck driver. Twice a week, he hauled loads between Cincinnati and Atlanta. He always stopped for lunch at Joe’s Diner, a friendly little truck stop about halfway between the two cities. One day Bill parked his truck, walked into Joe’s Diner, sat down on a stool at the counter and ordered lunch. Off in the distance, there was a roar and a cloud of dust. As the roar got closer, out of the cloud of dust came twelve bikers. They parked their hogs and stormed into the Diner. They crowded around Bill and started to snap their fingers in rhythm. Bill just acted like they weren’t there and kept eating. Then the leader of the pack silenced his men, pointed at two of them, pointed at Bill, and snapped his fingers. One of them poured iced tea over Bill’s head, and the other one pushed Bill’s face into his mashed potatoes. Then the two of them pushed Bill off of his stool and beat the tar out of him. Bill never said a word. He got up, brushed himself off, paid Joe for his lunch and left. The leader of the gang swaggered over to Joe and said, “that guy’s not much of man is he? He didn’t even try to defend himself.” “No,” Joe replied as he looked out the window, “and he’s not much of a driver either. He just ran over twelve motorcycles.”

We are at war. Who is the enemy? It is not the non-believer, although occasionally you will meet a person so full of evil and rebellion against God that he or she actually declares himself or herself the enemy of Christianity. The secular media and society work relentlessly to undermine God’s truth, but they are not the enemy either, although they are often tools in his hands. Our enemy is Satan and the spiritual forces of evil. Satan, the deceiver, the accuser, the destroyer, is the adversary of our souls and the souls of our friends and our loved ones. Our enemy is powerful, but he is also a defeated foe. In verses 10-11, Paul reminds us to be strong in the Lord. To be strong in the Lord is not a singular event. Just like physical strength, if we do not continue strive for excellence we will grow weak. Being a Christian is not a learned skill or discipline; it is a vital relationship with our living Lord Jesus. Like any other relationship, if you want it to be deep and meaningful, beyond superficial formalities, it takes time and commitment. That is why Paul says to put on the full armor of God. God is not only our strength He is our protection.

We each need the full armor of God in this battle. Then we may be able to sense the danger and recognize the power of the real enemy. In the coming days we will look at some of the ways that we may train and equip ourselves for the fight. Today, commit yourself to prayer, study, and active discipleship in Christ.

The Little Paper Cup

At that time Joshua summoned the Reubenites and the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh, and said to them, “You have kept all that Moses the servant of the LORD commanded you and have obeyed my voice in all that I have commanded you. You have not forsaken your brothers these many days, down to this day, but have been careful to keep the charge of the LORD your God. And now the LORD your God has given rest to your brothers, as he promised them. So Joshua blessed them and sent them away, and they went to their tents. Now to the one half of the tribe of Manasseh Moses had given a possession in Bashan, but to the other half Joshua had given a possession beside their brothers in the land west of the Jordan. And when Joshua sent them away to their homes and blessed them. (Joshua 22:1-7 ESV).

Joshua has spoken to the tribes and sent them to their homes after the long campaign to settle the Promised Land with these words of encouragement. They serve us today also. God desires faithfulness, not perfection. He desires our presence, not just our performance. The following story is a wonderful illustration of this truth. As you read it, ask yourself if you are watering your little paper cup?

Often, when he came to visit, my grandfather would bring me a present. These were never the sorts of things that other people brought, dolls and books and stuffed animals. My dolls and stuffed animals have been gone for more than half a century, but many of my grandfather's gifts are with me still. Once he brought me a little paper cup. I looked inside it expecting something special. It was full of dirt. I was not allowed to play with dirt. Disappointed, I told him this. He smiled at me fondly. Turning, he picked up the little teapot from my doll's tea set and took me to the kitchen where he filled it with water. Back in the nursery, he put the teacup on the windowsill and handed me the teapot. "If you promise to put some water in the cup every day, something may happen," he told me.

At the time, I was four years old and my nursery was on the sixth floor of an apartment building in Manhattan. This whole thing made no sense to me at all. I looked at him dubiously. He nodded with encouragement. "Every day, Neshume-le," he told me. And so I promised. At first, curious to see what would happen, I did not mind doing this. But as the days went by and nothing changed, it got harder and harder to remember to put water in the cup. After a week, I asked my grandfather if it was time to stop yet. Shaking his head no, he said, "Every day, Neshume-le." The second week was even harder, and I became resentful of my promise to put water in the cup. When my grandfather came again, I tried to give it back to him but he refused to take it, saying simply, "Every day, Neshume-le." By the third week, I began to forget to put water in the cup. Often I would remember only after I had been put to bed and would have to get out of bed and water it in the dark. But I did not miss a single day. And one morning, there were two little green leaves that had not been there the night before.

I was completely astonished. Day by day they got bigger. I could not wait to tell my grandfather, certain that he would be as surprised as I was. But of course he was not. Carefully he explained to me that life is everywhere, hidden in the most ordinary and unlikely places. I was delighted. "And all it needs is water, Grandpa?" I asked him. Gently he touched me on the top of my head. "No, Neshume-le," he said. "All it needs is your love and faithfulness." (Excerpt from My Grandfather's Blessings by Rachel Naomi Remen).

Gettin' What Ya Get

Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith. (Galatians 6:7-10 ESV).

Perhaps one of my most often quoted verses comes from our reading today. It is a passage that deals with the Law of the Harvest. I have often substituted my own paraphrase of the truth that you reap what you sow by saying:

You get what you get because you go where you go; if you don’t like what you’re getting’, don’t go where you’re goin’.

Last week Faith and Logan began riding the bus to school a few mornings each week. Because of the schedule I was asked if I could go to their house to see them off to the bus stop a couple of those mornings. Of course I was very happy to do so. However, I was even happier when I saw how “grown up” they have become.

When we walked out the front door to go down the sidewalk to the bus stop the first morning, Logan raced ahead while Faith stayed close beside me. She said, “He’s always in a rush.” I called ahead for him to stop before he got to the curb to cross the street. He turned around and looked at me and said, “I know, Grandpa, always look both ways and never cross by myself.”

I wonder how many times we have not followed that advice in our lives. We rush ahead and don’t look either way. It’s strange how we are then so surprised by the results of our decisions! Truthfully there are very few surprises in life when we actually look both ways. There are some, but usually the consequences are much less for those difficult surprises than when we didn’t plan and make our choices accordingly.

I wonder, today, are you looking both ways before you cross the street? Start with a recognition that God desires only the best for you in every experience. He loves you supremely. He has given you every resources and His Holy Spirit to empower you in every possible situation. Look both ways and trust Him for His best!

Time Tested

When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways. For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known. So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love. (1 Corinthians 13:11-13 ESV).

I recently read a wonderful little parable that brings into sharp focus the wonderful principle of the eternal nature of love:

Once upon a time, there was an island where all forces of personality and feeling lived: Happiness, Sadness, Knowledge, and all of the others, including Love. One day it was announced to the forces that the island would sink, so all repaired their boats and left. Love was the only one who stayed. Love wanted to persevere until the last possible moment. When the island was almost sinking, Love decided he needed help.

Richness was passing by Love in a grand boat. Love said, "Richness, can you take me with you?" Richness answered, "No, I can't. There is a lot of gold and silver in my boat. There is no place here for you." Love decided to ask Vanity who was also passing by in a beautiful vessel. "Vanity, please help me!" "I can't help you Love. You are all wet and might damage my boat," answered Vanity. Sadness was close by so again Love asked for help, "Sadness, let me go with you." "Oh... Love, I am so sad that I need to be alone!" Happiness passed by Love too, but she was so happy that she did not even hear when Love called her.

Suddenly, there was a voice, "Come Love, I will take you." It was an elder. Love felt too blessed and overjoyed that he even forgot to ask the elder her name. When they arrived at dry land, the elder went her own way. Love realizing how much he owed the elder asked Knowledge, another elder, "Who helped me?" "It was Time," Knowledge answered. "Time?" asked Love. "But why did Time help me?"

Knowledge smiled with deep wisdom and answered, "Because only Time is capable of understanding how much Love is worth saving."

There are always those moments when we rush to judgment. Could I encourage you to slow down long enough to allow love to prevail?

The Miracle Baby

Please forgive the trespass of your servant. For the LORD will certainly make my lord a sure house, because my lord is fighting the battles of the LORD, and evil shall not be found in you so long as you live. If men rise up to pursue you and to seek your life, the life of my lord shall be bound in the bundle of the living in the care of the LORD your God. And the lives of your enemies he shall sling out as from the hollow of a sling. (1 Samuel 25:28-29 ESV).

The tornado lifted Jonathan Waldick, only 18 months old, from his bed. It carried him 50 feet. It injected him into a five-foot-high clump of debris that corkscrewed itself into the splintered trunk of an oak tree. And there, after a frantic, 30-minute search, Jonathan was found, only one foot visible but wiggling with life. There he was found, still cocooned in his Perfect Sleeper mattress, still resting on his purple striped sheet. This week’s vicious tornadoes carried another 18-month-old toddler out of his father’s arms and to his death. But Jonathan emerged from his vault of debris with two scratches on his scalp and two tiny welts on his chin. Relatives and friends call Jonathan Waldick “The Miracle Baby.” They call the event “The Miracle at 1400 Fair Oaks.” Jonathan is 3 feet tall. He weighs 40 pounds. He has hazel eyes and sandy brown hair. Here’s his story, told largely by his guardian:

Jonathan and his 4-year old sister, Destiny, lived with Shirley Driver at 1400 Fair Oaks Ave., a block outside the Kissimmee city limits. Driver, 68, is their great-grandmother. She is raising them because of family problems. Soon after bedtime Sunday night, the tornadoes arrived. Destiny and Driver were asleep in one bedroom of the wood-frame house. Jonathan was alone in another bedroom. Driver: “I heard the wind roar. We just got slammed. I knew it was a tornado. I grabbed Destiny. The walls were going. The roof came off. “Destiny said, ‘Grandma, you’re holding me too tight,’ but I couldn’t let go.” The tornado did its work and passed; though the wind still howled and rain still came in great blustery torrents. Driver stood amid her crumbled house. She still held Destiny very, very tightly. But the other child was missing, blown away. Young Jonathan, lost in the havoc. “I’ve got to find Jonathan,” Driver howled, mostly to the wind. “I’ve got to find Jonathan. “Somebody help me.” A few neighbors arrived, including Steven Vernelson. Driver: “I looked. Lord, I looked for Jonathan. I didn’t care if I cut my foot. As long as I found him, I didn’t care. But I couldn’t find him. “Finally, Steven saw just this little foot, over there by the tree. We saw him all folded up in the mattress like in a cocoon. He didn’t move. We thought he was dead. “Then, he wiggled his foot. “He’s alive. He’s alive.” Driver spent the night in the hospital. Heart palpitations. Jonathan was fine. “He had a magic carpet ride and never knew it,” said Delbert Gassert, Jonathan’s uncle. On Tuesday afternoon, Driver returned to her homesite for the first time since the storm. She saw devastation, nothing recognizable as a house. She saw the spot where Jonathan was found. Arriving in a relative’s van, she reached over and grabbed the hand of her sister, Janice Gassert, who lives nearby. “Oh, my gosh,” Driver said, and her eyes watered. “Jonathan lived through that.” Other relatives and even some strangers also made pilgrimages to visit the site. The mattress and the sheet were still there, against the tree trunk, nearly invisible, deep within the mound of wallboard and furniture and tree limbs and a wrecked Ford Thunderbird. That anyone could be injected so deeply into this seemed astonishing. “I think God has something planned for this boy,” Janice Gassert said. “I really believe there’s a special plan.” A few feet away, one of Driver’s old phonograph records sat atop the wreckage, left there by the wind. It was a recording by the Raker Evangelistic Party, a gospel group. The first song on the album was called, “Oh Lord, You’ve Been So Good To Me.”

God’s promise is to be a very present help in our time of need too. Miracles are available to all of us. Trust in His care in these times of trouble and you will not be disappointed!

The Birth of a Dream

As they were going along the road, someone said to him, "I will follow you wherever you go." And Jesus said to him, "Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head." To another he said, "Follow me." But he said, "Lord, let me first go and bury my father." And Jesus said to him, "Leave the dead to bury their own dead. But as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God." Yet another said, "I will follow you, Lord, but let me first say farewell to those at my home." Jesus said to him, "No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God." (Luke 9:57-62 ESV).

On a clear, bright sunny day take powerful magnifying glass and a stack of newspapers and go outside for an experiment. Hold the magnifying glass over a pile of crumpled pages. Even though you are magnifying the power of the sun's rays through the glass lens, you will never start a fire if you keep moving the glass. But if you hold the magnifying glass still, allowing it to focus the rays in a concentrated beam of sun energy, you harness the power of the sun and multiply it through the lens, starting a fire. Focusing also works with your power of thought! Try it and ignite your wandering ideas. Someone has said, "Whatever the mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve." Would you agree with the statement that a dream is born from an idea, a simple idea conceived in the mind? I believe there is great truth in this concept, however the real key to success is in focus.

Back in the 19th century two brothers had an idea which eventually became their passionate and consuming dream. Their relentless pursuit of that dream was rewarded with an accomplishment that changed world travel. On Friday December 17, 1903 at 10:35 AM, the Wright brothers achieved their dream. They flew "the world's first power-driven, heavier-than-air machine in which man made free, controlled, and sustained flight." This memorable feat took place at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina on a cold windy morning. The dream started with an idea that was planted in their minds by a toy given to them by their father. In the words of the boys, "Late in the autumn of 1878, our father came into the house one evening with some object partly concealed in his hands, and before we could see what it was, he tossed it into the air. Instead of falling to the floor, as we expected, it flew across the room till it struck the ceiling, where it fluttered awhile, and finally sank to the floor." This simple toy made of bamboo, cork and stretched rubber bands, fascinated the Wright brothers and sparked their lifelong interest in human flight. The Wright brothers were great thinkers. They enjoyed learning new things. Initially, they recycled broken parts, built a printing press and opened their own printing office. Their interest moved to bicycles and in 1893, they opened the Wright Cycle Company where they sold and repaired bicycles. But Wilbur, the older brother, had his mind set on something more exciting. He decided to seriously pursue flying. The brothers spent many hours researching, testing their machines and making improvements after unsuccessful attempts at human flight. What started out as a hobby soon became a passion. With determination and patience they realized their dream in 1903.

The next time you hear or see an airplane or travel on one, remember where it all started. A simply idea conceived in the minds of two young men who did not finish high school. Believe it or not, they did not have a University degree in Aeronautical Engineering, Mathematics, Physics or any other subject. They were not scientists in the true sense of the word. In fact, many of their peers, who did not witness their accomplishment, had trouble believing that two bicycle mechanics from Dayton, Ohio did what they claimed.

What idea or ideas are you working on? Have you said you can't do this or that because you are not a scientist? Have you limited yourself by saying you are not smart enough? Or have you joined the majority in saying that everything has already been invented or discovered? Keep you hand to the plow!

Life by the Throat

Because you have kept my word about patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world, to try those who dwell on the earth. I am coming soon. Hold fast what you have, so that no one may seize your crown. The one who conquers, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God. Never shall he go out of it, and I will write on him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down from my God out of heaven, and my own new name. (Revelation 3:10-12 ESV).

Have you ever worked to get better at something? If so, you soon realized that the cliché “practice makes perfect” is true. Olympic Athletes seem to succeed with effortless grace, but their performances aren’t as easy as they look. The average Olympian trains four hours a day at least 310 days a year for six years before succeeding. Getting better begins with working out every day. By 7:00 a.m. most athletes have done more than many people do all day. The four years before an Olympics, Greg Louganis probably practiced each of his dives 3000 times. Kim Zmeskal has probably done every flip in her gymnastics routine at least 20,000 times, and Janet Evans has completed more than 240,000 laps. Training works, but it isn’t easy or simple. Swimmers train an average of 10 miles a day, at speeds of 5 mph in the pool. That might not sound fast, but their heart rates average 160 the entire time. Try running up a flight of stairs, then check your heart rate. Then imagine having to do that for four hours! Marathon runners average 160 miles a week at 10 mph. All great people have this in common: they never gave up. They continued to persevere.

This is true of nonathletes also. By the age of 5, Beethoven was playing the violin under the tutelage of his father—also an accomplished musician. By the time he was 13, Beethoven was a concert organist. In his 20s he was already studying under the very watchful eyes of Haydn and Mozart. In fact, Mozart spoke prophetic words when he declared that Beethoven would give the world something worth listening to by the time his life ended. As Beethoven began to develop his skills, he became a prolific composer. During his lifetime, he wrote nine majestic symphonies and five concertos for piano, not to mention numerous pieces of chamber music. Ludwig van Beethoven also wrote sonatas and pieces for violin and piano. He has thrilled us with the masterful works of unique harmony that broke with the traditions of his times. The man was a genius. Beethoven was not, however, a stranger to difficulties. During his twenties, he began to lose his hearing. His fingers “became thick,” he said on one occasion. He couldn’t feel the music as he once had. His hearing problem haunted him in the middle years of his life, but he kept it a well-guarded secret. When he reached his fifties, Beethoven was stone deaf. Three years later he made a tragic attempt to conduct an orchestra and failed miserably. Approximately five years later, he died during a fierce thunderstorm. He was deaf, yet a magnificent musician. On one occasion, Beethoven was overheard shouting at the top of his voice as he slammed both fists on the keyboard, “I will take life by the throat!”

How about you? Will you take life by the throat? The blessing awaits those who do!

Do You Believe in Easter?

In my Father's house are many mansions. I go to prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also. (John 14:3 ESV).

Edith Burns was a wonderful Christian who lived in San Antonio, Texas. She was the patient of a doctor by the name of Will Phillips. Dr. Phillips was a gentle doctor who saw patients as people. His favorite patient was Edith Burns. One morning he went to his office with a heavy heart and it was because of Edith Burns. When he walked into that waiting room, there sat Edith with her big black Bible in her lap earnestly talking to a young mother sitting beside her. Edith Burns had a habit of introducing herself in this way: "Hello, my name is Edith Burns. Do you believe in Easter?" Then she would explain the meaning of Easter, and many times people would be saved. Dr. Phillips walked into that office and there he saw the head nurse, Beverly. Beverly had first met Edith when she was taking her blood pressure. Edith began by saying, "My name is Edith Burns. Do you believe in Easter?" Beverly said, "Why yes I do." Edith said, "Well, what do you believe about Easter?" Beverly said, "Well, it's all about egg hunts, going to church, and dressing up." Edith kept pressing her about the real meaning of Easter, and finally led her to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. Dr. Phillips said, "Beverly, don't call Edith into the office quite yet. I believe there is another delivery taking place in the waiting room." After being called back in the doctor's office, Edith sat down and when she took a look at the doctor she said, "Dr. Will, why are you so sad? Are you reading your Bible? Are you praying?" Dr. Phillips said gently, "Edith, I'm the doctor and you're the patient." With a heavy heart he said, "Your lab report came back and it says you have cancer, and Edith, you're not going to live very long." Edith said, "Why Will Phillips, shame on you. Why are you so sad? Do you think God makes mistakes? You have just told me I'm going to see my precious Lord Jesus, my husband, and my friends. You have just told me that I am going to celebrate Easter forever, and here you are having difficulty giving me my ticket!" Dr. Phillips thought to himself, "What a magnificent woman this Edith Burns is!"

Edith continued coming to Dr. Phillips. Christmas came and the office was closed through January 3rd. On the day the office opened, Edith did not show up. Later that afternoon, Edith called Dr. Phillips and said she would have to be moving her story to the hospital and said, "Will, I'm very near home, so would you make sure that they put women in here next to me in my room who need to know about Easter." Well, they did just that and women began to come in and share that room with Edith. Everybody on that floor from staff to patients were so excited about Edith, that they started calling her Edith Easter; that is everyone except Phyllis Cross, the head nurse. Phyllis made it plain that she wanted nothing to do with Edith because she was a "religious nut". She had been a nurse in an army hospital. She had seen it all and heard it all. She was the original GI Jane. She had been married three times, she was hard, cold, and did everything by the book. One morning the two nurses who were to attend to Edith were sick. Edith had the flu and Phyllis Cross had to go in and give her a shot. When she walked in, Edith had a big smile on her face and said, "Phyllis, God loves you and I love you, and I have been praying for you." Phyllis Cross said, "Well, you can quit praying for me, it won't work. I'm not interested." Edith said, "Well, I will pray and I have asked God not to let me go home until you come into the family." Phyllis Cross said, "Then you will never die because that will never happen," and curtly walked out of the room. Every day Phyllis Cross would walk into the room and Edith would say, "God loves you Phyllis and I love you, and I'm praying for you." One day Phyllis Cross said she was literally drawn to Edith's room like a magnet would draw iron. She sat down on the bed and Edith said, "I'm so glad you have come, because God told me that today is your special day." Phyllis Cross said, "Edith, you have asked everybody here the question, 'Do you believe in Easter?' but you have never asked me." Edith said, "Phyllis, I wanted to many times, but God told me to wait until you asked, and now that you have asked..."

Edith Burns took her Bible and shared with Phyllis Cross the Easter Story of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Edith said, "Phyllis, do you believe in Easter? Do you believe that Jesus Christ is alive and that He wants to live in your heart?" Phyllis Cross said, "Oh I want to believe that with all of my heart, and I do want Jesus in my life." Right there, Phyllis Cross prayed and invited Jesus Christ into her heart. For the first time Phyllis Cross did not walk out of a hospital room, she was carried out on the wings of angels. Two days later, Phyllis Cross came in and Edith said, "Do you know what day it is?" Phyllis Cross said, "Why Edith, it's Good Friday." Edith said, "Oh, no, for you every day is Easter. Happy Easter Phyllis!" Two days later, on Easter Sunday, Phyllis Cross came into work, did some of her duties and then went down to the flower shop and got some Easter lilies because she wanted to go up to see Edith and give her some Easter lilies and wish her a Happy Easter. When she walked into Edith's room, Edith was in bed. That big black Bible was on her lap. Her hands were in that Bible. There was a sweet smile on her face. When Phyllis Cross went to pick up Edith's hand, she realized Edith was dead. Her left hand was on Phyllis Cross took one look at that dead body, and then lifted her face toward heaven, and with tears streaming down here cheeks, said, "Happy Easter, Edith - Happy Easter!" Phyllis Cross left Edith's body, walked out of the room and over to a table where two student nurses were sitting. She said, "My name is Phyllis Cross. Do you believe in Easter?"

I Get Better Every Day

Now there is great gain in godliness with contentment, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs. But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. (1 Timothy 6:6-12 ESV).

Few of us look in the mirror and come to the conclusion of Hall of Fame quarterback Joe Namath. During his heyday as a player, Namath wrote a book titled I Can’t Wait Until Tomorrow...’Cause I Get Better-Looking Every Day. Yet, the desire of God for all of us is to find such contentment with who and what we are each day.

Once walking through the streets of the West End in Dallas, I came upon a tattoo studio. In the window were displayed samples of the tattoos available. On the chest or arms you could have tattooed an anchor or flag or mermaid or whatever. But what struck me with force were three words that could be tattooed on one’s flesh, Born to Lose. I entered the shop in astonishment and pointing to those words, asked the tattoo artist, “Does anyone really have that phrase, ‘Born to Lose,’ tattooed on his body.” He replied, “Yes, sometimes.” “But,” I said, “I just can’t believe that anyone in his right mind would do that.” The man simply tapped his forehead and said, “Before tattoo on body, tattoo on mind.”

God calls us to a far more stable basis for significance. He wants us to establish our identity in the fact that we are His children, created by Him to carry out good works as responsible people in His kingdom. This is our calling or vocation from God. According to Scripture, our calling:

• is irrevocable (Romans 11:29).
• is from God; He wants to let us share in Christ’s glory (2 Thessalonians 2:14).
• is a function of how God has designed us (Ephesians 2:10).
• is an assurance that God will give us everything we need to serve Him, including the strength to remain faithful to Him (1 Corinthians 1:7-9).
• is what we should be proclaiming as our true identity (1 Peter 2:5, 9).
• carries us through suffering (1 Peter 2:19-21).
• is rooted in peace, no matter what the circumstances in which we find ourselves (1 Corinthians 7:15-24).
• is focused on eternal achievements, not merely temporal ones (Philippians 3:13—4:1).

So you can see, there is a genuine sense in which we can get better everyday! Trust in Him rather than the things around you and you will find contentment for your soul.

Asleep at the Wheel

Now the word of the LORD came to Jonah the son of Amittai, saying, "Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and call out against it, for their evil has come up before me." But Jonah rose to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the LORD. He went down to Joppa and found a ship going to Tarshish. So he paid the fare and went on board, to go with them to Tarshish, away from the presence of the LORD. But the LORD hurled a great wind upon the sea, and there was a mighty tempest on the sea, so that the ship threatened to break up. Then the mariners were afraid, and each cried out to his god. And they hurled the cargo that was in the ship into the sea to lighten it for them. But Jonah had gone down into the inner part of the ship and had lain down and was fast asleep. So the captain came and said to him, "What do you mean, you sleeper? Arise, call out to your god! Perhaps the god will give a thought to us, that we may not perish." (Jonah 1:1-6 ESV).

For those of you who know me, you know that I do not drive well. Only one of the many problems I have with my driving habits is the fact that I can so easily fall asleep at the wheel. I have tried all kinds of things to stay awake when driving. Most of the time they work! Recently, when I was traveling back from Nashville after doing one my regular phlebotomy treatments, I found it even more difficult. During one of those bouts, I began to think of how easy it is for Christians to “fall asleep at the wheel.”

The story of Jonah came to my mind as I thought more about it. It is a favorite Bible story of many people. As I reread it today I was struck by something I had never really paid attention to before.

You know the story. Jonah neglects the Lord's call, runs away and the ship ends up in trouble. Those are the events that led up to him being thrown overboard and swallowed by the fish. What struck me was the pagan sailors praying and calling out to their gods while Jonah slumbered comfortably below deck. Instead of interceding in prayer, he was asleep at the wheel, so to speak. I wondered how often others around me have been crying out for help from gods who cannot help, while I was “asleep at the wheel”?

Just like when I drive my truck, I don’t intend to fall asleep. In fact, it’s the last thing I would want to do. But after a long day, perhaps doing very good things, I neglect to recognize how much I need to rest and replenish my strength. That’s how it happens in our spiritual lives also. We get so busy tending to life in general, that we don’t replenish our strength. We get tired and fall asleep. We can’t see the hurts of those around us. We can’t hear their cries for help. Jonah’s solution was to have them throw him overboard. It was not a good or godly solution. He just wanted to die. The best solution is to go to the place of rest, to replenish your strength in the presence of your heavenly Father. Are you asleep at the wheel today? Then, go to Him! He will give you rest in your soul!

Asleep at the

With You Always

Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:16-20 ESV).

Kevin Morse has a wonderful outlook in life. His father tells the following story that illustrates the incredible power of faith and the abiding presence of God in our lives.

Kevin thinks God lives under his bed. At least that's what was overheard one night as he was praying in his darkened bedroom. "Are you there, God?" he said. "Where are You?" A pause-and then, in a relieved voice, "Oh, I see. Under the bed." Kevin's unique perspectives are always a source of amusement. But that night something else lingered long after the humor. I realized for the first time the very different world Kevin lives in. He was born 30 years ago, mentally disabled as a result of labor difficulties during birth. Apart from his size (he's 6'2"), there are few ways that he is an adult. He reasons and communicates with the capabilities of a seven-year old. He probably will always believe that God lives under his bed, that Santa Claus fills the space under our tree every Christmas, and that airplanes stay in the sky because angels carry them. I remember wondering if Kevin was ever dissatisfied with his monotonous life. Up before dawn each day, off to work at a workshop for the disabled, home to eat his favorite macaroni and cheese for dinner, and later to bed. The only change in this routine is laundry day, when he hovers excitedly over the washing machine like a mother with a newborn child. But he does not seem dissatisfied. He lopes out to the school bus every morning at 7:05am, eager for a day of work; he wrings his hands excitedly while the water boils on the stove before dinner; and he stays up late twice a week to gather our dirty laundry for his next day's chores. And Saturdays-oh, the bliss of Saturdays! My dad takes Kevin to the airport to have a soft drink, watch the planes land, and speculate loudly on the destination of each passenger. "That one's going to Chi-cargo!" he'll shout and clap his hands. He can hardly sleep on Friday nights in anticipation. I do not think Kevin knows what it means to be discontent. He will never know the entanglements of wealth or power, and he does not care what brand of clothing he wears or what kind of food he eats. He recognizes no difference in people, treating all as equals and as friends. His needs have always been met, and he never worries that one-day, they may not be. His hands are diligent. Kevin is never so happy as when he is working. When he unloads the dishwasher or vacuums the carpet, his heart is completely in it. He does not shrink from a job, and he does not quit a job until it is finished. But when his tasks are done, Kevin knows how to relax. He is not obsessed with his work or the work of others. His heart is pure too. He believes everyone tells the truth, that promises must be kept, and that when you are wrong, you apologize. Free from pride and unconcerned with appearances, Kevin is not afraid to cry. He is always sincere. And he trusts God. Not confined by intellectual reasoning, when he comes to Christ, he always comes as a child. In my moments of doubt and frustration, I envy the security of his simple faith. Yet, it is then I realize and am humbled that perhaps he is not the one with the handicap.

Obligations, fears, pride, and circumstances all become disabilities when we do not allow our relationship to Christ to eclipse them. Maybe Kevin can comprehend things we may never learn. He has spent his whole life in innocence, after all, talking to God, who lives under his bed, and soaking up the goodness and love of the Lord. One day, when the mysteries of Heaven are opened, we will all be amazed at how close God really is to our hearts. But Kevin won't be surprised at all!

The Ride

I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. (John 10:9-11 ESV).

When Jesus taught that He was the source of life, He was often misunderstood. The following story told by Jimmy D. Brown is a wonderful illustration of the truth that Jesus can and will give us abundant life.

When I was about twelve years old my dad took a friend and I to the carnival. We purchased an armband and entered the gates. We were awestruck at all of the blinking lights, the throng of people, the voices disappearing into the night air, and, most of all, the numerous rides. We heard the shrieks of joy from those who were riding on the various rides in the carnival that night. Their faces were lit up much like the bright lights and you could see grins so wide that it seemed their faces would split open from their excitement. As I watched them, I could imagine the feeling of lightness in their stomachs as they were rocked to and fro. I could almost feel the breath being suddenly thrust out of their lungs as they lurched from side to side. It looked like so much fun! We walked on. Everyone that we approached seemed to be enjoying themselves greatly. Each ride that we came to looked more exciting than the previous one. The people aboard seemed to be having the time of their lives. The whole scene looked so inviting! And, yet, we had no money. My dad had paid for the armbands and told us we were on our own. Without any money, we were left to watch everyone else enjoy themselves. The more we saw everyone else having a great time, the more we wished we were able to purchase tickets in order that we might ride the rides. We were standing around, miserable, wishing my father would come and get us out of that place, when we heard him say to us, "Hey, you two. What are you doing?" "We are just watching these people on the rides," I replied. "Why aren't you riding any of them," my father asked. "We don't have any money to buy tickets," I continued. "Son, don't you know that the rides are included in the price that I already paid. Your armband gets you access to all of the rides." We were stunned. We had no idea that we could have been enjoying the carnival to its fullest extent by just taking advantage of what my father had given us.

Sadly, there are many Christians like the two boys in the story. They walk around miserable, seeing others at peace, seeing others filled with joy, seeing others content and free. They are miserable as they watch others full of assurance and victory and blessing. Oh, it all looks so inviting, but they just don't see how they can pay for it. They stand around wishing their Father would come and get them out of this place. They haven’t realized that Jesus did more than just save them. He gives us a life of blessing. He did more than just reserve us a place in Heaven; He gave us a wonderful, anointed life here on earth. Many Christians walk around with a brightly colored spiritual armband on, never realizing that it gives them access to all of the blessings that Jesus Christ offers. They're at the carnival... but they're not riding any rides. Jesus died to give you life... abundant life. He promises you peace, joy, contentment, assurance, victory and confidence. Don't be satisfied to simply wear your armband... get on the ride!

We Still Have Hope

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. (Romans 15:13 ESV).

In the face of tragedy we are all tempted to lose our hope. So it was for the early Christians as they faced great dangers for the practice of their faith. However, the Apostle Paul reminds them that their hope came from God. It is a reminder to us today also. We can find hope again. We still have hope.

If you can look at the sunset and smile, then you still have hope. If you can find beauty in the colors of a small flower, then you still have hope. If you can find pleasure in the movement of a butterfly, then you still have hope. If the smile of a child can still warm your heart, then you still have hope. If you can see the good in other people, then you still have hope. If the rain breaking on a rooftop can still lull you to sleep, then you still have hope. If the sight of a rainbow still makes you stop and stare in wonder, then you still have hope. If the soft fur of a favored pet still feels pleasant under your fingertips, then you still have hope. If you meet new people with a trace of excitement and optimism, then you still have hope. If you give people the benefit of a doubt, then you still have hope. If you still offer your hand in friendship to others that have touched your life, then you still have hope. If receiving an unexpected card or letter still brings a pleasant surprise, then you still have hope. If the suffering of others still fills you with pain and frustration, then you still have hope. If you refuse to let a friendship die, or accept that it must end, then you still have hope. If you look forward to a time or place of quiet reflection, then you still have hope. If you still buy the ornaments, put up the Christmas tree or cook the turkey, then you still have hope. If you still watch love stories or want the endings to be happy, then you still have hope. If you can look to the past and smile, then you still have hope. If, when faced with the bad, when told everything is futile, you can still look up and end the conversation with the phrase... "yeah....BUT.." then you still have hope.

Hope is such a marvelous thing. It bends, it twists, it sometimes hides, but rarely does it break. It sustains us when nothing else can. It gives us reason to continue and courage to move ahead, when we tell ourselves we'd rather give in. Hope puts a smile on our face when the heart cannot manage. Hope puts our feet on the path when our eyes cannot see it. Hope moves us to act when our souls are confused of the direction. Hope is a wonderful thing, something to be cherished and nurtured, and something that will refresh us in return. And it can be found in each of us, and it can bring light into the darkest of places. Never lose hope!

The Secrets of Heaven and Hell

In the LORD I take refuge; how can you say to my soul, “Flee like a bird to your mountain, for behold, the wicked bend the bow; they have fitted their arrow to the string to shoot in the dark at the upright in heart; if the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?” The LORD is in his holy temple; the LORD's throne is in heaven; his eyes see, his eyelids test the children of man. The LORD tests the righteous, but his soul hates the wicked and the one who loves violence. Let him rain coals on the wicked; fire and sulfur and a scorching wind shall be the portion of their cup. For the LORD is righteous; he loves righteous deeds; the upright shall behold his face. (Psalm 11:1-7 ESV).

The old monk sat by the side of the road. With his eyes closed, his legs crossed and his hands folded in his lap, he sat. In deep meditation, he sat.

Suddenly his zazen was interrupted by the harsh and demanding voice of a samurai warrior. "Old man! Teach me about heaven and hell!"

At first, as though he had not heard, there was no perceptible response from the monk. But gradually he began to open his eyes, the faintest hint of a smile playing around the corners of his mouth as the samurai stood there, waiting impatiently, growing more and more agitated with each passing second.

"You wish to know the secrets of heaven and hell?" replied the monk at last. "You who are so unkempt. You whose hands and feet are covered with dirt. You whose hair is uncombed, whose breath is foul, whose sword is all rusty and neglected. You who are ugly and whose mother dresses you funny. You would ask me of heaven and hell?"
The samurai uttered a vile curse. He drew his sword and raised it high above his head. His face turned to crimson and the veins on his neck stood out in bold relief as he prepared to sever the monk's head from its shoulders.

"That is hell," said the old monk gently, just as the sword began its descent. In that fraction of a second, the samurai was overcome with amazement, awe, compassion and love for this gentle being who had dared to risk his very life to give him such a teaching. He stopped his sword in mid-flight and his eyes filled with grateful tears.
"And that," said the monk, "is heaven."

The Lord still is in His heaven. His call to us is to live lovingly. Live for heaven not for hell today!

Achieving Inner Peace

Jesus said “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30 ESV).

Inner peace is one of the most sought after experiences. People have tried all kinds of things to achieve it. Even Solomon, the wealthiest, most powerful king Israel ever knew, spent a great deal of his life exploring the path to inner peace. In the end, like so many, he concluded there was only way to achieve inner peace. It can be found only in trusting in God. Being very practical about most things, I have developed a few things for you to do to achieve inner peace. These are some of those horizontal imperatives. Of course they all must be based in your relationship with Christ. His love for us makes all things possible.

1. First, think and act spontaneously rather than on fears, which are based upon past experience. This is not to say that you do not act wisely. However, it does mean that you past failures no longer control your decisions.

2. Second, develop the unmistakable ability to enjoy each and every moment. Live in the present.

3. Third, lose your interest in judging other people. The only worth comparison we have for our evaluation of ourselves is Jesus. If you must compare yourself to another, let it be Him.

4. Fourth, stay away from interpreting the actions of others. We cannot know the true motives of others. To try to interpret them is to beg for trouble. If you must know the why of another’s actions, simply ask.

5. Fifth, stop participating in conflict in your life. It takes two parties to go to war. Refuse to play that game in life. It is amazing how much stress you may eliminate in this way.

6. Sixth, lose the need and even the ability to worry. Do not fear the future. It is secure in God’s hands.

7. Seventh, as often as possible be appreciative of others. Gratitude is at the heart of our faith.

8. Eighth, practice smiling more than frowning.

9. Ninth, increase your susceptibility to feeling the love extended by others as well as the uncontrollable urge to extend it back. Let yourself become vulnerable and approachable.

10. Tenth, tell yourself often that everything is okay. It is OK. After all isn’t our future secured by the work of Christ on our behalf? Everything IS OK.

There is a warning to be posted concerning inner peace: If you have some or all of the above symptoms, please be advised that your condition of inner peace may be so far advanced as to not be curable. If you are exposed to anyone exhibiting any of these symptoms, remain exposed to that individual only at your own risk. Inner peace is contagious. Rest in Him today!

The Dress

Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. (Ephesians 6:4 ESV).

“Do you like my dress?” she asked of a passing stranger. “My Mommy made it just for me,” she said with a tear in her eye. “Well, I think it’s very pretty. So tell me little one, why are you crying?” asked the stranger of the little girl. With a quiver in her voice the little girl answered, “After Mommy made me this dress, she had to go away.” “Well now,” said the lady, “with a little girl like you waiting for her, I’m sure she’ll be right back.” “No ma’am, you don’t understand,” said the little girl through her tears, “my Daddy said that she’s up in heaven with Grandfather.”

Finally the woman realized what the child meant. And why she was crying. Kneeling down, she gently cradled the child in her arms and together they cried for the mommy that was gone. Then suddenly the little girl did something that the woman thought was a bit strange. She stopped crying, stepped back from the woman and began to sing. She sang so softly that it was almost a whisper. It was the sweetest sound the woman had ever heard, almost like the song of a very small bird.

After the child stopped singing, she explained to the lady, “My Mommy used to sing that song to me before she went away, and she made me promise to sing it whenever I started crying and it would make me stop.” “See,” she exclaimed, “it did, and now my eyes are dry!”

As the woman turned to go, the little girl grabbed her sleeve, “Lady, can you stay just a minute? I want to show you something.” “Of course,” she answered, “what do you want me to see?” Pointing to a spot on her dress, she said, “Right here is where my Mommy kissed my dress, and here,” pointing to another spot, “and here is another kiss, and here, and here. Mommy said that she put all those kisses on my dress so that I would have her kisses for every boo-boo that made me cry.”

Then the lady realized that she wasn’t just looking at a dress. She was looking at a Mother who knew she was going away and would not be there to kiss away the hurts she knew her daughter would get. She took all the love she had for her beautiful little girl and put them into a dress that her child so proudly wore. She no longer saw a little girl in a simple dress. She saw a child wrapped in her Mother’s love.

It is so easy to become frustrated with our children, no matter their age. However, when that feeling of frustration and anger rises within you, take a deep breath and remember to discipline them in love. Cover them in kisses so that they will always have an understanding of the grace of their heavenly Father.

What Is Success?

Some years ago a 310-pound defensive tackle playing for the Chicago Bears became a national celebrity. William Perry, better known as “the refrigerator,” in a four-week period ran the ball for yardage, caught a pass for a touchdown, and ran for another. It was the first time in football history that a defensive tackle had ever been given the ball to carry to make a touchdown. The American public was captivated by this out-of-the-ordinary event. In fact, sportscasters said it put the fun back in football. Perry became an instant celebrity. He made appearances on the Tonight show, the Today show, and many of the network evening news shows. There were as many as one hundred requests per day for endorsements with more than $750 thousand in fees paid to him. Meanwhile his mother said, “I know he was good, but I don’t think he’s that good.” His wife said, “This was great for a while, but now it’s ridiculous. It’s gotten out of hand.” Perry himself said, “As fast as it comes, that’s how fast it goes.” He was right. Now it’s as if the event never occurred.

So, what is real success? The Scripture has some very specific things to say about the answer to that question. Two of the wise sayings of Solomon capture the gist of success.

Cast your bread upon the waters, for you will find it after many days. Give a portion to seven, or even to eight, for you know not what disaster may happen on earth. If the clouds are full of rain, they empty themselves on the earth, and if a tree falls to the south or to the north, in the place where the tree falls, there it will lie. He who observes the wind will not sow, and he who regards the clouds will not reap. (Ecclesiastes 11:1-4 ESV).

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction. (Proverbs 1:7 ESV).

I found the following list not long ago. Perhaps it will provide you with some goals for success in your life too. Success is…

 to laugh often and love much;
 to win the respect of intelligent persons and the affection of children;
 to earn the approval of honest critics and endure the betrayal of friends;
 to appreciate beauty;
 to find the best in others;
 to give of yourself without the slightest thought of return;
 to have accomplished a task, however small or large;
 to have played and laughed with enthusiasm and exuberance; and
 to know that even one person’s life has been made easier because you have lived.

Perhaps you can add others to the list. All of our successes however ought to begin with the fear of the Lord. Begin there today and keep going! Don’t wait for the “perfect conditions.” Now is the time to succeed in your life.

Labor Day

And whatever you do or say, let it be as a representative of the Lord Jesus, all the while giving thanks through him to God the Father. (Colossians 3:17, NLV).

The Labor Day holiday as we know it grew out of the efforts of labor unions over a century ago. Records indicate the holiday was first proposed in the late 19th century. Two men are credited with the original idea: Peter J. McGuire, a co-founder of the American Federation of Labor, and Matthew Maguire, a machinist and secretary of the Central Labor Union in New York. The purpose of the holiday was, in McGuire's words, to celebrate those "who from rude nature have delved and carved all the grandeur we behold." His insight leaves much of the truth aside. However, it is a time when we may remember some important truths about our work.

1. First, work itself is inherently good. God didn’t mind “getting His hands dirty,” so to speak, in creating the universe. Genesis says He “worked” to bring it into existence. But that means work must be good in and of itself, since by definition, God can only do what is good. It also means work reflects the activity of God. The engineer who designs a bridge, the zoologist who studies animals, and the farmer who raises crops all carry out jobs that God did at the beginning of the world.
2. Second, your work is important; it matters. The work that God gives you has dignity to it. In fact, God created you “in His image.” Just as He works, so He has created you to work. Genesis even says that God has placed human beings in authority over the creation as His managers. As you use the abilities He’s given you, you can be a partner, a coworker with Him to carry out His work. For example, God can use the nurse to meet the health needs of patients; the grocer to distribute food to customers; the researcher to provide accurate information; the lawyer to promote justice for clients; and the career homemaker to nurture growing children. God values these kinds of jobs because they help to carry out His purposes in the world. These things matter to Him.
3. Third, there’s no such thing as “secular” or “sacred” work. God certainly uses ministers and missionaries to meet spiritual and personal needs around the world. But they are not the only people doing “God’s work.” God is just as interested in the physical, emotional, intellectual, and other needs that people have. He also cares about the management of the earth itself. It takes all kinds of skills, and all kinds of people, to do what God wants done in the world.
4. Fourth, you should do your work in a way that honors God. Your work has dignity; you’re created in God’s image as a worker; you’re a coworker with God; you have God-given abilities to carry out important tasks that He wants done. All of this says that what you do for work and how you do it should bring glory to God. He should be pleased with it—and with you as you do it.

Any task we do as Christians should be done with wholehearted dedication, for God is never satisfied with a halfhearted effort. H. A. Ironside learned this early in life while working for a Christian shoemaker. Young Harry’s job was to prepare the leather for soles. He would cut a piece of cowhide to size, soak it in water, and then pound it with a flat-headed hammer until it was hard and dry. This was a wearisome process, and he wished it could be avoided. Harry would often go to another shoeshop nearby to watch his employer’s competitor. This man did not pound the leather after it came from the water. Instead, he immediately nailed it onto the shoe he was making. One day Harry approached the shoemaker and said, “I noticed you put the soles on while they are still wet. Are they just as good as if they were pounded?” With a wink and a cynical smile the man replied, “No, but they come back much quicker this way, my boy!” Young Harry hurried back to his boss and suggested that perhaps they were wasting their time by drying out the leather so carefully. Upon hearing this, his employer took his Bible, read Colossians 3:23 to him, and said, “Harry, I do not make shoes just for the money. I’m doing it for the glory of God. If at the judgment seat of Christ I should have to view every shoe I’ve ever made, I don’t want to hear the Lord say, ‘Dan, that was a poor job. You didn’t do your best.’ I want to see His smile and hear, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant!’” It was a lesson in practical Christian ethics that Ironside never forgot! As you celebrate Labor Day this year, remember that whatever you do, do it unto the Lord.

Just Act Medium

For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness. (Romans 12:3-8 ESV).

I read a story of some neighborhood children who decided to build a clubhouse. They worked long and hard on their big project, using a refrigerator box, scraps of wood, and whatever else they could find until they got it just right. Their creation would become a solemn meeting place, a playground, a pretend school; a place where kids could just be kids. They decided they needed a few rules for their clubhouse. They met in secret, tossing ideas back and forth. Finally, they posted these rules on the door:

1. Nobody act big.
2. Nobody act small.
3. Everybody act medium.

Perceptive kids, aren’t they? They recognized a basic problem found in every human circle, and they decided to keep it out of their circle of friends. On their own level they were heeding Paul’s words: "Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought" (Romans 12:3). Jesus did not lord it over people, nor did He view anyone as being beneath Him. He granted each one the dignity that was his due as a creation of God. But Jesus also did not downplay Himself, even though He came "to serve, and to give His life" (Matthew 20:28).

I know there are some proud people in your world. They act superior because they secretly or openly feel that they are superior. How sad! Maybe one of them is treating you like a second-class citizen even today. You might also know someone who is always apologizing, always putting herself down. They believe they are just not good enough. How unnecessary! Those children had the right idea when they posted their rules on the clubhouse door. They were more right than they could have imagined when they told each other to just "act medium." Commit yourself to “just act medium” today. Allow and encourage others to do the same. Watch the difference it will make in your life!

Enemies to Friends

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” (Matthew 5:43-48 ESV).

It took sixteen years for them to be friends. Years before Senator John McCain made his run for the presidency, he eulogized a former enemy, David Ifshin, who died at age 47 after a five-month battle with cancer. The two had made their peace together many years earlier. You know McCain may be our country’s most famous prisoner of the Vietnam War. Ifshin, on the other hand, may be the most famous protester of that same war. He went to Hanoi and spoke against the United States’ involvement in the conflict early and often. In fact, his radio broadcast of the protest speech was often heard in the POW camps. McCain recalls having heard Ifshin protesting the war while hanging by his broken arms for hours each day, shriveled to less than 100 pounds, during his five-year imprisonment.

Both men would end up in Washington in 1984. McCain, by then a Congressman, sharply criticized Ifshin’s antiwar activities. Ifshin, a lawyer working on the Mondale presidential campaign, continued to be an enemy to McCain. However, two years later, Ifshin saw McCain at a Washington event and over the course of the next few weeks and months the two set aside their differences and became friends. In fact, they worked together to set up the Institute for Democracy in Vietnam.

Two weeks before Ifshin’s death, McCain visited him, his wife and three young children. He said later, “I thought, thank goodness we didn’t waste any more time in anger. You can’t put off setting your life right.” In his eulogy, the Senator from Arizona remembered defending Ifshin, the former general counsel of the Clinton campaign, in the Senate after demonstrators assailed the lawyer’s patriotism at a Memorial Day speech by the President. “ I wanted the protesters to know that they were bearing false witness against a good man. That this small gesture that meant so much to David meant even more to me. David Ifshin was my friend. His friendship honored me and honors me still.”

John McCain is a living example of what Jesus taught concerning our “enemies.” It is so tragic that we fail to recognize that the only real enemy we have is the devil. Our responsibility as Christians is to seek reconciliation with every man. We are to be kind to every man, even when we disagree with him!

Becoming Someone Else

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness. (Romans 12:1-8 ESV).

At the age of 16, Mary Isabel Catherine Bernadette O'Brien took a long look at herself in the mirror and said: "Be miserable or become someone else." She set her sights on the music world, and later changed her name to Dusty Springfield. A string of hits including "You Don't Have To Say You Love Me" put her on the charts in the 1960s. In March 1999, she died of breast cancer 11 days before her induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

"Be miserable or become someone else" is fundamentally a good philosophical point of view. Many of us have said something similar to ourselves. The problem is how to make it happen in a way that brings significant and lasting change for the better. Our most insightful looks in the mirror take us way beyond our outward appearance to who we are deep inside. That's where we need to be different.

Paul’s change is one of the most dramatic in the Bible. Those changes are at the root of his beginning of today’s verses. One paraphrase of the second verse says: "Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but be a new and different person with a fresh newness in all you do and think. Then you will learn from your own experience how His ways will really satisfy you" (The Living Bible). Behind every physical workout and facial makeover is the hope that we really can change. God says it can happen, but not on our terms. The first step in God's plan is to offer you unconditionally His presence to you. Then, as we walk in His grace and presence, He crafts us into the persons He created us to be. Trust in the completed work of Christ is the first step in becoming God's someone else. Today, commit yourself to being that someone different.