The Faithful Father

 

Hear, O Lord, when I cry aloud; be gracious to me and answer me! You have said, “Seek my face.” My heart says to you, “Your face, Lord, do I seek.” Hide not your face from me. Turn not your servant away in anger, O you who have been my help. Cast me not off; forsake me not, O God of my salvation! For my father and my mother have forsaken me, but the Lord will take me in. Teach me your way, O Lord, and lead me on a level path because of my enemies. Give me not up to the will of my adversaries; for false witnesses have risen against me, and they breathe out violence. I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living! Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord! (Psalm 27:7-14 ESV).

 

The phrase "God is a faithful father" reflects a core tenet of our belief as Christians. The Scripture describes God as a loving, trustworthy, and dependable parent who is consistent in His character and promises. This concept highlights God's unwavering support, kindness, and justice, offering believers a secure foundation and hope. Just as many earthly fathers provide, God is seen as guiding, caring for, and fulfilling His word for His children, making Him a source of profound solace and strength.

 

I am aware that, unfortunately, not everyone has had a positive experience with their father. Some have experienced abandonment from fathers who have walked out on their families, offering only neglect instead of care. Some children have never met their fathers. Or, worse, some wish they had never met them. Sadly, our world is plagued with poor examples of fathers, men who abandon, neglect, or abuse their families. If this is your experience, it may make it difficult to accept God as a faithful Father.

 

But God’s faithfulness far exceeds that of even the best parents. Even if our father and mother forsake us, the Lord will not. Our Father God is the perfect Father. He fills a painful vacuum of love for all whose earthly fathers have forsaken them. God’s intention in calling himself Father is to reveal his heart’s desire to have a real relationship with you, his child. He loves you in a way that no human has ever loved you, with ferocity and faithfulness that no human love can match.

 

It also gives all of us who have children an incredible example of how we should relate to them. I cannot imagine a greater gift than family. It is my personal treasure and while I have not been as perfect as I would have wanted to be, that doesn’t change the truth of my desire to be. It also doesn’t change the perfection I have experienced from my heavenly Father! As the psalmist writes… I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living! Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord! (v. 14).

 

In His Hands

 

[The Lord says] “Behold, all who are incensed against you shall be put to shame and confounded; those who strive against you shall be as nothing and shall perish. You shall seek those who contend with you, but you shall not find them; those who war against you shall be as nothing at all. For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, “Fear not, I am the one who helps you.” (Isaiah 41:11-13 ESV).

 

I am always a bit surprised when we find ourselves anxious about the future. Our reading today is so clear in the declaration that we have nothing to fear because God holds us in His hand. Perhaps it is a result of the ever-present rebellion that we have toward anyone “holding” us. Our sin nature certainly rises up with an independent spirit when we perceive that we need anyone or anything to help us until we have reached a point where there are no other options. I know in my life that I have found it much easier to be at peace when I recognize I never need to do anything alone simply because my heavenly Father is holding my hand all the way.

 

Some of my favorite memories are from those times when I was walking with my boys holding their hand strolling along. I recall one experience long ago when Kyle was a young child walking with him in the mall while Mary went ahead to shop a bit. David and Aaron had not been born yet, so it was just the three of us. We were walking along and a lady walking behind us said, “I bet you wished you had a nickel for every question he asks you.” Well, it is true that he has always been a very curious person, seeking answers to any question that might pop into his mind, but this was a bit of a surprise that someone else would notice it! I turned and just smiled. Today I recall those times with all my children and grandchildren with great fondness. They represent my opportunity to protect and satisfy their needs. Isn’t that what a father/grandfather should do?

 

In the Bible God reveals himself as our Father. I am a child of God. Every believer is His child. God wants us to know him more personally, more intimately. The Bible is God’s long love letter that shares his heart for his children. Salvation in the Bible is so much more than just escaping the punishment for our sin. Salvation is adoption into a family, a homecoming to an extravagant celebration, an inheritance of all the riches of the Father’s lavish love. Rest easy as you face the future… you are in His hands!

 

God Is Our Father!

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light. The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, the gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:1-14 ESV).

 

Like many theologians I have caught myself using big words and elaborate concepts to explain God and our relationship with him. The truth is that the Bible more often uses simple images that are easy to understand. My favorite is that God is our Father and we are his children. It’s really that simple. I have been a father for over fifty years, and I have enjoyed a healthy relationship with my own father. Based on my experience of being both a son and a father, I have a pretty good idea of what a father is supposed to be. I am not laying claim to perfection; however, God’s revealing himself as our Father is a concept on which I can hang my faith.

 

Usually a father is someone older, wiser, and stronger. He is someone with a deep interest in your well-being. He cares about you and provides for you. He knows your name. He is interested in the things that interest you. A good father is available, especially when you really need him.

 

Our reading today declares that all who believe in Jesus are given the right to become God’s children. Faith in Jesus opens the door of belonging to the family of God. In a world where it is easy to get lost in the crowd and feel anonymous and insignificant, there is a Father who loves you. There is a Father calling you home. There is a Father who wants you to know that you are his child. Rest in that truth today!

  

A Help or a Hinderance?

 

[Jesus said] “But woe to you Pharisees! For you tithe mint and rue and every herb, and neglect justice and the love of God. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others. Woe to you Pharisees! For you love the best seat in the synagogues and greetings in the marketplaces. Woe to you! For you are like unmarked graves, and people walk over them without knowing it.” One of the lawyers answered him, “Teacher, in saying these things you insult us also.” And he said, “Woe to you lawyers also! For you load people with burdens hard to bear, and you yourselves do not touch the burdens with one of your fingers. Woe to you! For you build the tombs of the prophets whom your fathers killed.” (Luke 11:42-47 ESV).

 

The question of whether the church is a help or a hindrance depends on perspective, as some view it as outdated and irrelevant due to its struggles with cultural issues like sexuality and justice, while others see its challenges as signs of growth and connection with modern seekers. Many people become disillusioned with organized religion due to hypocrisy or outdated methods, leading to declining attendance and a growing perception of the church as judgmental and outdated. However, some argue that these problems are opportunities for transformation and re-engagement with faith, suggesting the church isn't inherently a hindrance but faces significant hurdles in adapting to a changing world.

 

It was a similar situation in Jesus’ day. He spoke pointedly and critically against the leaders of God’s people in that day. Instead of helping people draw near to God and enjoy his blessings, those leaders put up barriers through their legalistic, self-serving practices.

 

Sadly, throughout history, some churches and church leaders have blocked access to spiritual life for people and have even abused people. We often hear of such cases in the news today. Corrupt leaders put barriers instead of bridges in front of people. As God’s people who make up the church today, we must repent of these sins, be sure we have measures in place to prevent them from happening again and be agents of healing to people who have been hurt.

 

Have you been hurt by the church or its leaders? If so, you may be hesitant to participate in the life of a church. That’s understandable. Let me make a few suggestions

 

§  Keep your focus on Jesus himself, especially through prayer and Bible reading. We cannot realistically expect perfection from the Church or its members. All are sinners and in need of the Savior. Focus on Jesus alone.

 

§  Ask God to provide a few caring Christians with whom you can fellowship and grow spiritually; they can be a helpful bridge. There are those within the Church that are genuinely following Christ to the best of their present strength and ability. Align yourself with those people.

 

§  If your personal experience has caused trauma that you are struggling to understand and process, seek a Christian counselor. Work with them in seeking healing and the strength to forgive.

 

§  Remain open to a time when you can fully participate in a healthy church again. Don’t eliminate a genuine relationship with a community of believers. Seek those who are like-minded and desire a true fellowship with the Holy Spirit.

 

Don’t hesitate to contact me individually if you need further information or help in this essential part of the journey you have experienced.

 

 

The Beauty of Our Dwelling Place

 

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” (Revelation 21:1-4 ESV).

 

The John Oliver Cabin, which is set back from Cades Cove Loop Road, is the first historical structure you will come to. The parking area for this cabin is immediately past Sparks Lane. John and Lucretia Oliver, the original owners of the cabin, were the first permanent white settlers in Cades Cove. When they moved to Cades Cove in the 1820s, the only road into the cove was a primitive trail and there was not a working grist mill. In the absence of a grist mill, the Olivers had to beat corn into cornmeal using only a mortar and pestle. During the early years, Lucretia feared she would starve to death. Now, the Oliver cabin is one of the most visited historical structures in the National Park. The cabin is held together by gravity and notched corners; it does not need pegs or nails to hold it together. It must have been one of the most prominent homes in the Cove. Although the National Park Service eventually took control of the structure, it was one of the last historical structures to be vacated. The cabin remained in the Oliver family for over 100 years!

 

As I come to an end of the Smoky Mountain inspired series of “God’s Beauty,” I thought it would be good to look at the end god has promised for all believers. Our reading today gives us some description of what that new life will be like. While God doesn’t tell us exactly when this will take place, He does give us some pictures to help us look forward in hope. The Olivers may have stayed in their dwelling for over 100 years, however, that is but a blink of the eye compared to eternity with God. And, we won’t need to worry about accommodations!

 

Look at the Apostle John’s description of this vision of the new heaven and new earth. He sees the city of Jerusalem coming down out of heaven. In the world as John knew it, the people could go to the temple in Jerusalem to be with God. But in this vision, the city comes down out of heaven to be with the people. John describes the city as “a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.” The city was radiant, looking beautiful for the sake of celebration and love.

 

All of this sounds nice, but the best news comes when John hears what this means. A voice tells him that the coming of this beautiful city means that God will now live with his people. Because of the presence of God, in the new heaven and earth there will be “no more death or mourning or crying or pain.” God will restore his creation to complete wholeness and peace. When you face death or mourning or crying or pain in your life today, take courage. Though these things are very difficult, they are not forever. God will make all things new.

 

We don’t need to plead for “a little cabin in the corner of glory-land” … He is preparing a wonderful place beyond our imagination for us! That’s God’s great beauty working through His grace!

 

Independent, but not Isolated

 

Seeing the crowds, he [Jesus] went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him. And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” (Matthew 5:1-12 ESV).

 

The picture today is the Missionary Baptist Church near Rich Mountain Road. This road  provided the first settlers access into Cades Cove. Originally a path used by the Cherokee, this route was eventually widened into a wagon road. By the mid-1800s, five roads led into and out of the Cove - Crib Gap Road, Rich Mountain Road, Cooper Road, Rabbit Creek Road, Parsons Branch Road - compared to only one or (seasonally) two routes open to two-way traffic today. These roads provided the families of the Cove opportunities for commerce, as well as social and political interaction. It is no wonder that the informational marker outside the church begins with the phrase “Independent, but not Isolated.”

 

The Cades Cove Missionary Baptist Church was established in 1841 after a split from the original Cades Cove Baptist Church over disagreements concerning missionary work, temperance societies, and Sunday schools. This division, known as the Anti-Division Split, led to the formation of the Missionary Baptist Church by Pastor John Adams and other congregants who advocated for missionary efforts. Both of these church buildings still stand in their original location. They are also still used for weddings and other periodic church gatherings. Baptists have never been accused of not being independent!

 

Perhaps a better word to achieve as a description would be the word “blessed.” People often say that they are “blessed” when they are enjoying good things in life: a beautiful sunset, time with their loved ones, a comfortable place to live, exciting travels. But when we hear what Jesus taught about being “blessed,” we get a different picture. Jesus describes a number of people who seem to be the opposite of blessed. The list includes people who are broken down, struggling, or even persecuted. How could Jesus call them blessed?

 

Through his life and teaching, Jesus introduced a new kind of world. It was a new way of understanding what a beautiful community looks like. Jesus called this beautiful new community “the kingdom of God” or “the kingdom of heaven.” And in God’s kingdom, the typical priorities of our world (wealth, pride, winning at all costs) are turned upside down.

 

In God’s kingdom, Jesus says all people are welcome, not just those who are rich or respectable. In God’s kingdom, a beautiful life of mercy and peace is possible by God’s grace. We may feel disoriented at first when we follow Jesus, because his values are not the values of the world. But the right-side-up kingdom of God is good news for us and for the whole world, because it is the most beautiful kingdom possible!

 

The Beauty of God's Surprises

 

Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness! You have given me relief when I was in distress. Be gracious to me and hear my prayer! O men, how long shall my honor be turned into shame? How long will you love vain words and seek after lies? But know that the Lord has set apart the godly for himself; the Lord hears when I call to him. Be angry, and do not sin; ponder in your own hearts on your beds, and be silent. Offer right sacrifices, and put your trust in the Lord. (Psalm 40:1-5 ESV).

 

God’s grace is always a bit surprising to me. I was reminded of that recently when we were traveling through Cades Cove in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. Mary and I were driving along the 11 mile loop and hopeful we might see some bears or a few deer along the way. We almost always see some wildlife, though seeing big bucks up close is a bit rare. We had gone through a relatively open area and seen a bear, but nothing else yet. Coming through a more wooded part of the loop, Mary said, “There’s a buck!” pointing out the driver’s side window. I looked and there they were just inside the tree line. As you can see these two were big! There were actually five in all, though the others were a bit more shy about having their picture taken. What a pleasant surprise!

 

Just as there was nothing I could or did do to make this happen, so it is with the grace of God. Sometimes we act as if we can fix the problem of sin in our lives. We imagine that if we improve ourselves, we can be free of sin and guilt. We think that if we just work hard enough, our lives will become better. And if our friends and family would just listen to us, our relationships would become better too.

 

But the problem is too big for us. We cannot save ourselves from the problem of our separation from God. We cannot even stop ourselves from sinning. Only God can do that. Our reading today sings praise to the God who saves us. It sings praise to the God who is strong enough to conquer sin and is gracious enough to do that for us. It sings praise to the God who chose not to stay separated from us but came to save us and restore us to himself. It sings of a salvation so great that only God could accomplish it. God has loved us in so many ways.

 

The psalmist says to God, “Were I to speak and tell of your deeds, they would be too many to declare.” The many wonders God has done to save us are beautiful. Our abundant and beautiful salvation comes from God, the only one who can save us. That is such a marvelous “surprise”! God’s beauty is often such a surprise.

The Beauty of God's Forgiveness

 

Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin! For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil din your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment. Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me. Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being, and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart. Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones that you have broken rejoice. Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit. (Psalm 51:1-12 ESV).

 

There’s nothing quite like being beside a mountain stream as it flows through the rocks. I stopped along the river up on the Roaring Fork Motor Trail and walked down from the road to just sit for a bit and take some photos. The quiet sounds of the water and the birds chirping in the surrounding forest were cathartic. As I began to think of the grace of God and the forgiveness He has extended to me, It felt as if the waters of His grace were washing over me leaving nothing but peace and calm. I recognized the beauty of God’s forgiveness again. It was a prayer moment.

 

Those are the kind of conversations I have with God. I have never been one to pray in “King James.” You know those types of prayers if you have been in a Baptist church for very long. They are the ones that some folks use with the old English pronouns of “thee” and “thou.” I’ve often thought it seemed as if they were trying to make a good impression. I’m more of a direct and brutally honest king of person in my prayers.

 

Our reading today is such a prayer. David describes sin as a great stain on his life. He knows that the sin he has done messes up the beauty of his life. He knows that his sin was offensive to God, and it needed to be washed away. He also knows that just as surely as sin stains a person’s life, God has the power to wipe that life clean again. He prays for forgiveness, asking God to cleanse him and make his life beautiful again. The honesty of the confession is possible because of the trust that God will hear and forgive.

 

Because of the grace of Jesus shown to us on the cross, we can also pray to God confessing the stain of our sin and asking God to wash His grace over us, giving us pure hearts again. God promises to cleanse us and make us beautiful again. God promises to take away our guilt and shame and to renew our spirits. Our honest confession is met with God’s faithful grace and love.

 

God's Beauty Never Fades

 

As for man, his days are like grass; he flourishes like a flower of the field; for the wind passes over it, and wit is gone, and its place knows it no more. But the steadfast love of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him, and his righteousness to children’s children, to those who keep his covenant and remember to do his commandments. The Lord has established his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all. (Psalm 103:15-19 ESV)

 

Our reading today uses the example of flowers in a field to describe how short our life is. Wildflowers are beautiful, but they last for just a season, and some of them bloom for only a day. The picture I’ve attached was taken on the Roaring Fork Motor Trail in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. You may remember the photo from yesterday of a trail I took away from the spot where this photo was taken. It was a beautiful view of the Smokies. In the center of the picture toward the bottom are several goldenrod blooming. Their beautiful golden flowers give it their name.

 

Goldenrod is abundant in the Great Smoky Mountains, with several species found throughout the park. One notable species, the Blue Ridge Goldenrod, is a federally threatened plant that thrives in high-elevation, rocky areas. The flowers pictured here are the more common Skunk Goldenrod, so named because of its strong, offensive odor. They are beautiful, but not suitable in a floral arrangement! All goldenrods bloom from late summer to early fall. Goldenrods can support up to 116 species of moth and butterfly, who lay their eggs on the goldenrod leaves, knowing them to be a great food source for the caterpillars who soon hatch out. These caterpillars are the primary food source for nesting songbirds, some of whom require 5,000 caterpillars to raise a clutch of baby birds, making some 1,500 trips a day to gather food for their young. Their beauty is much more than “skin-deep”!

 

Their lifespan is very brief, but essential. It reminds me of our own brevity on earth. In the grand scope of the universe, human life is also brief. Compared to the age of our planet, a human life of even a hundred years seems short. Knowing this brings us to an essential truth. Even though our lives have value and beauty, our bodies will eventually die. This can feel frightening to us. It can make us feel insignificant, and it shows us we have no control over the circumstances of our own death or when it will come.

 

But our reading today assures us that we can place our hope in God, who created us and watches over our lives. “From everlasting to everlasting the Lord’s love is with those who fear him.” This promised love will last longer than we could imagine. The beauty of our lives will fade, but the beauty of God’s care, protection, and love for us will last forever!

 

God's Beauty in Contrast to Man's Fallen State

 

Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever! Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom he has redeemed from trouble and gathered in from the lands, from the east and from the west, from the north and from the south. Some wandered in desert wastes, finding no way to a city to dwell in; hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted within them. Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. He led them by a straight way till they reached a city to dwell in. (Psalm 107:1-7 ESV).

 

While taking the Roaring Fork Motor Trail in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, Mary and I came to an overlook that gave us an incredible view of the Smokies. Just off the paved area I found a path that I thought would lead to an even better view. As you can see from the picture of the trail I’ve attached, it was well worn and only slightly uphill. I walked along the path for a few minutes and realized the “light ahead” was merely a tease to keep me going. In fact, the further I traveled the denser the foliage became. There was no view at all. I recognized the beauty of the trees and undergrowth, however, it was “ugly” compared to the vista at the pull-off. The designers of the road saw to it that the best was reserved for the pull-off, not the path chosen by a few travelers who thought they knew better than the designers.

 

One way to understand the beauty that God created is to understand its opposite. God is the ultimate “Designer.” Consequently, we were travel away from His design we experience the ugliness and sorrow of being separated from God. This is true of the world in general. Because of our sin, this world is not the way it ought to be. Sin has brought hardship and ugliness into our lives and into this world, though God designed it all to be beautiful.

 

We know that God has restoration in mind because we don’t feel “at home” in a world broken because of sin. We are homesick for a world of peace and beauty. We are homesick to be with God. When we’re stuck in brokenness and facing the ugliness of this world of sin, we feel homesick for God’s world of goodness and beauty. Our reading today points out the sorrow and longing of this homesickness. The world can feel like a endless path, providing no place where people can rest, no place where they can settle and be at peace. But the Lord, whose “love endures forever,” offers redemption. The Lord hears his people cry out in their trouble caused by sin, and he delivers them from distress. God brings them to a place where they can settle and live in peace. “He satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.”

 

If you find yourself stuck on this uphill path that seems to lead you deeper into the dense trees and underbrush of sin, turn around and find the Lord standing there, waiting for you to come back into His design. Jesus has left us, though often we strike out on our own in stubborn independence that leads to destruction. Come on back to the pull-off! He put it there for you!

 

God's Beauty in His Plan

 

[God answered Job] “Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding. Who determined its measurements—surely you know! Or who stretched the line upon it? On what were its bases sunk, or who laid its cornerstone, when the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy? Or who shut in the sea with doors when it burst out from the womb, when I made clouds its garment and thick darkness its swaddling band, and prescribed limits for it and set bars and doors, and said, ‘Thus far shall you come, and no farther, and here shall your proud waves be stayed’?” (Job 38:4-11 ESV).

 

I often stop at the buildings in Cades Cove. The one pictured here is the Henry Whitehead Place, named after Henry Whitehead, a talented carpenter, married Matilda Shields Gregory. Matilda’s previous marriage did not last, as her husband, Ebenezer, deserted her and their young son, Josiah. As a result, Matilda had to raise their son on her own and do so without a home. Her brothers and the community stepped in to help her by quickly building a functional cabin in 1881 (smaller structure at the rear of the main cabin). Even with its rushed construction, including roughly cut logs and a rubble stone chimney, Matilda was supposedly grateful for her new house. A few years later, Matilda met Henry. The two courted and eventually married in 1887, and Henry assured his new wife that she would have a much better home to live in.

 

With his carpentry skills, Henry decided to make a 16-foot by 18-foot sawn log cabin for their family. The construction of the cabin included 4-inch walls made from thick logs, making it well-insulated. Henry also constructed a brick chimney for the home. Most homes had rubble chimneys like that of Matilda’s first home, as having a brick chimney was a rare amenity for Cades Cove cabins at the time. A cool fact about the chimney of the new cabin is that Henry made his own bricks from scratch! As a final touch, Henry even went on to join both the new and old homes with a covered walkway. By 1898, Matilda and the rest of the Whitehead family had a beautiful cabin that outshined her previous home. In turn, the Henry Whitehead Place in Cades Cove eventually paved the way for the look of future cabins built in the community.

 

In our reading today, Job is questioning God. He certainly may be seen as someone who had reason to do so. However, God’s answer to him was something of a surprise. God tells him that he had no way of fully understanding all of what He was doing in his life. Like all of God’s work, we often don’t understand the full plan of God in our lives. However, we do know the “Who” of the plan. God is good and desires only good for His children.

 

Some may have lamented the “fate” of Matilda Shields Gregory after her husband deserted her and all she had was a small hastily constructed cabin to raise her son in. Little did they know the final outcome that would come to her through meeting Henry Whitehead. If we simply look at our circumstance now, we will surely miss the final outcome prepared for us through Jesus!

 

Living Things both Great and Small

 

O Lord, how manifold are your works! In wisdom have you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures. Here is the sea, great and wide, which teems with creatures innumerable, living things both small and great. There go the ships, and Leviathan, which you formed to play in it. These all look to you, to give them their food in due season. When you give it to them, they gather it up; when you open your hand, they are filled with good things. (Psalm 104:24-28 ESV).

 

You cannot take the loop through Cades Cove without seeing wildlife. While Mary and I were there recently we saw some wild turkeys browsing through the grass. I took the picture attached while two Eastern gobblers casually went about their search for something to eat. You may find it interesting to know that in North America, there is one wild turkey species, Meleagris Gallopavo, but it is divided into five recognized subspecies: Eastern, Osceola, Rio Grande, Merriam's, and Gould's. Each has a slight difference in appearance and habit. I’ve seen three of the five in the wild. They are strangely beautiful, especially when the gobblers are in full strut with their tails fanned. While not the smallest or largest of birds, they have their place in our wonderful world.  

 

This vast diversity is a beautiful part of God’s creation, as our reading shows. In his wisdom God made so many different animals and plants that we haven’t been able to count them all. And in his wisdom God made many different cultures and people as well. This psalm uses poetry to tell about the powerful and beautiful way God made the world. It invites us to praise God for such diverse beauty and for creating the world in the best way possible.

 

Each of us brings our own type of beauty to the world. The distinctive gobble of the Eastern turkey that breaks the early morning silence is quite different than the melodious coo of a Morning Dove though both are incredibly beautiful. God combines with each species’ huge variety of sounds to create beauty in this world. In all these ways God displays his love for his creation. We should learn an important truth from this. We are also very diverse as humans. There is great beauty in each of us as He has planned and purposed each of us to be a part of a world that is so beautiful and diverse! Praise Him for that!

 

And... It Was Good!

 

And God said, “Let the earth bring forth living creatures according to their kinds—livestock and creeping things and beasts of the earth according to their kinds.” And it was so. And God made the beasts of the earth according to their kinds and the livestock according to their kinds, and everything that creeps on the ground according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. (Genesis 1:24-25 ESV).

 

As I anticipated Mary and I are indeed in the Smokies as I am writing this devotional along the theme of God’s beauty. As you can see from the picture I have attached, God knows how to create beauty. This view was captured in Cades Cove looking over a pasture toward some of the mountains surrounding the Cove. It was late afternoon and the sun was behind me. There was a brief shower earlier and the grass was still a bit wet. The clouds remained, though they only provided an accent to the mountains. The purple ironweed was still blooming, though many of the other wildflowers have already shed their flowers in the reseeding ritual of spring and summer. It was surprisingly uncrowded. We heard a few birds and felt a slight breeze as the incredible feeling of peace washed over us.

 

When the first chapter of Genesis speaks of God creating the heavens and the earth, it does so by describing a pattern of six days. And several times in the process we read, “God saw that it was good.” God took joy and satisfaction in the things he created. God saw that the world was good and beautiful. In fact, God made the world to be beautiful: the light, the sky, the land, the sun, the fish, the animals. God called all these things “good.” And when God created humans, God created us in his own image. Men and women are all created in the image of God, beautiful like their creator.

 

If you are ever tempted to doubt your own worth as a person, remember that the creator of the universe made you in his own image. Remember that God looks on his beautiful creation, including you, and calls you “good” and beautiful. That cannot be in doubt! What a great day to see the hand of God in His creation!

 

The Beauty of God's Creation

 

The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge. There is no speech, nor are there words, whose voice is not heard. Their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them he has set a tent for the sun, which comes out like a bridegroom leaving his chamber, and, like a strong man, runs its course with joy. Its rising is from the end of the heavens, and its circuit to the end of them, and there is nothing hidden from its heat. (Psalm 19:1-6 ESV).

 

I am sorry for the older picture attached today. As you know I typically write ahead of publishing. I am writing this devotional on Saturday, August 9^th for publishing on Sunday, August 17^th. Mary and I should be in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, by then. My hope is to write a bit while I am in the mountains continuing this theme of “The Beauty of God’s Creation.” That will allow me to have current pictures to attach and give me a chance to digest being immersed in one of the most beautiful of places God has created. For reference, the photo today was obviously taken in the fall of the year; however, more importantly, it was taken literally outside the front door to the cabin where we are staying. It is the West Prong of the Little Pigeon River. I like to spend the mornings fly fishing for trout while we’re there. You can see why it is just fine to merely “fish” and not necessarily “catch” any fish! It truly is a glorious place of quiet and beauty.

 

Our reading today is from Psalm 19. It shows that we can even learn about God’s glory through nature. It says, “The heavens declare the glory of God” (v. 1). Another way to put it, according to this psalm, is that “the skies proclaim the work of his hands.” This is a strange and poetic picture. The sky can’t talk! The psalm acknowledges this in verse 3: “They have no speech, they use no words; no sound is heard from them.” And yet the sky, by its simple, beautiful existence, communicates to the world about God, its creator.

 

God has created a beautiful world. This world, simply by being what God created it to be, gives voice to the beauty of God himself. It is a reminder to us that we, too, can glorify God with our words, by loving each other and themselves, and by caring for the world that God loves. The sky uses its clouds, rainbows, and shades of gray and blue to tell about the glory of God. Think of all that we can do as we use our words and even our whole life to share about the glory of our great God!

 

“See” you from the Smokies… tomorrow!

When Life Is Uphill - Pt 5

 

Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified. (Romans 8:26-30 ESV).

 

The picture I’ve attached is from August, 2021. Mary and I had finally gotten to a place with our health issues that we could travel. Mary was just beginning to recover from the major surgery of 2020 and Covid was under more control with vaccines and public awareness. I had had the first two of what would become six stents placed in my heart. Things seemed to be normalizing. So, it was off to a bit of vacation in the Smokies. This picture was of the sunset in Cades Cove. It was a fabulous trip. “All things” seemed to have been worked out for our good. Little did I know then that there was yet to be some more uphill travel in our future!

 

This realization taught me a great deal more about the meaning of the promise in our reading today. Christians sometimes have the best intentions but say the wrong things. In attempts to comfort someone who is grieving the death of a loved one, we have been known to offer platitudes like “God had a plan” or “She’s in a better place” or “His suffering is over.” All true, but perhaps we should simply imitate the Spirit with “wordless groans,” offering a hug and ongoing prayers.

 

The greater the degree of suffering on this earth, the more we long for the day when we will be with Christ in heaven, free from the tyranny of sickness and sorrow. In this passage, the apostle Paul seeks to encourage God’s people with both strength to get through today and a glorious vision of the future. He tells us that in all things God works for our ultimate good and his purpose. This does not mean all things are inherently good but that God redeems the pain and blesses us. This verse is more than a platitude; it’s a promise based on God’s enduring love. And, therefore, it can be a great anchor point in our journey. Trust God to do His good work in your life!

 

When Life is Uphill - Pt 4

 

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we await for it with patience. (Romans 8:18-25 ESV).

 

While I am writing this devotional about a week before it will be published, my hope is that by the time you read it Mary and I will have “snuck off” for a quick trip to our place. Of course, those of you who know us also know that place is the Smoky Mountains. The picture I’ve attached was taken some years ago in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, at the Old Mill. Let me make the comparison and illustration of today’s thought clearer. This morning (actual day) I mowed. I started at 10:30 am and finished about 1:30 pm. Yes, I was riding the tractor, but it was really hot even at that hour. The heat index reached 105, while the air temperature hit 101. It is a typical Texas summer day for August. My curiosity led me to weigh before and after mowing… I lost two pounds just riding the mower! It is hot. In the Smokies the weather is much better. The forecast is for highs in the lower 80’s and lows in the 50’s. And, I won’t be doing anything more strenuous than casting my fly rod! Texas heat is nothing compared to that!

 

Our reading begins with that kind of declaration in relationship to our uphill journey in life. To be clear, claiming what this verse says is easier for some than for others. It depends on what kind of suffering you have experienced or are currently enduring. However, Paul is being realistic. Whether it’s trying to make sense of ourselves, fighting off sin, struggling in relationship, bearing wounds of brokenness, being limited by health, enduring the pain of depression or a host of other situations, suffering is real for Christians as well as non-Christians.

 

Paul wants us to gain perspective, so he invites us to compare our suffering to the glory that will be revealed in us. But Paul does not define that glory as life without adversity, as if we won’t have health issues or financial needs or marital struggles or the like. Our goal is not so much to beat suffering as it is to live fully and completely as children of God. He also reminds us that we have his Spirit—always. And the Spirit will help us in all situations, interceding for us even if we struggle to pray. Even in the worst of times, we are not alone. We can find great comfort in that.

 

When we suffer, we need that reminder. We may want an easier life, but what we need most is to know that God is continually with us and at work in us. Trust that!

 

When Life Is Uphill - Pt 3

 

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls. (1 Peter 1:3-9 ESV).

 

Mother Teresa was a faithful mission worker in Calcutta, India, and she described her work of mercy with the poorest of the poor in these words: "We want to create hope for the person… we must give hope, always hope." She was determined to pass along something of the living hope she had through her Lord Jesus Christ. When we are struggling uphill in our lives, hope is essential. And this is not the kind of “maybe-so” kind of hope so many have experienced; it is the kind of “know-so” hope that we receive from our experience with Jesus.

 

Two thousand years earlier the Apostle Peter wrote a similar declaration in a letter that is now part of the Bible. Our reading today comes from the first part of that letter. He wanted to share with other believers that we have "new birth into a living hope" through Jesus' resurrection. He wrote to people who were scattered throughout the Roman Empire. Because of persecution for their faith in Christ, many had left their homes and lost their possessions. It was certainly an uphill journey!

 

Peter reminded his readers that despite hardships and challenges, they had a living hope because of Jesus Christ. They had received a new identity through their new birth into Christ's family. Those believers who had given up everything for Jesus had an inheritance that, unlike the things they had owned before, could "never perish, spoil or fade." If you find yourself somewhere in life without much hope, be assured that because of Jesus Christ you too can have living hope. This is your “know-so” hope that will carry you to a mountain-top view!

 

When Life Is Uphill - Pt 2

 

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. (2 Corinthians 1:3-4 ESV).

 

Perhaps the most uphill struggle of life is the death of a loved one. The grief experienced is universal. All of us have all tasted the bitter pain of saying good-bye to a loved one who has died. Maybe you have shed tears at the funeral of your spouse, or you have endured the unimaginable pain of burying a child. That walk through the valley of the shadow of death may have been last month or many years ago, but the ache never goes away. The bitter taste seems to ebb and flow, but never vanishes. Our reading today identifies our Lord as “the Father of all mercies, and the God of all comfort” (v. 3). We must explore that if we are to reach the view at the top of the mountain.

 

Unfortunately, people don’t always know what to do with those who mourn. Well-meaning folks may try to minimize the pain by using trite phrases or empty words. We might sentimentalize death or deny the finality of it. Jesus cautions us that denying our pain is a dead-end road that offers little comfort.

 

In Jesus’ kingdom, mourning is a reminder of comfort. Jesus himself, when confronted with the reality of the grave, wept (cf. John 11). He mourned. He grieved. He wept. And he grieves with us in the loss of a spouse, child, or other loved one. He stands alongside us in our pain, and he comforts us. The reason He is uniquely qualified for this ministry of comfort it that he came to shed his blood; He faced death squarely, submitted himself to it, and conquered it on our behalf.

 

Because he triumphed over death, we can be assured that one day we will live in a world without disease, mourning, or cemeteries. Knowing that Jesus has overpowered death offers us comfort when we mourn.

 

When Life Is Uphill - Pt. 1

 

How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? How long must I take counsel in my soul and have sorrow in my heart all the day? How long shall my enemy be exalted over me? Consider and answer me, O Lord my God; light up my eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death, lest my enemy say, “I have prevailed over him,” lest my foes rejoice because I am shaken. But I have trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation. I will sing to the Lord, because he has dealt bountifully with me. (Psalm 13:1-6 ESV).

 

I love/hate the idiom, “Life is an uphill battle.” I’m sure you have heard or perhaps used that expression before. It is a common idiom that describes a situation where we face a multitude of challenges and struggles to make progress. It suggests that achieving goals or simply maintaining a decent life requires significant effort and perseverance, like the difficulty of walking or climbing uphill. It may be a health crisis, a relationship break, or even a career or financial setback. Whatever the reason, we often reach a point when it seems impossible to go any further. Well, like the meme I’ve attached, this is the time when we need to remember the view from the top!

 

David, described in the Bible as a man after God’s own heart (cf. Acts 13:22), never shied away from questioning God during times of crisis. Perhaps his most famous questions can be found at the beginning of one of his psalms of lament: “How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me?” (Psalm 13:1). How could David question God so boldly? We might think David’s questions shine a light on his lack of faith. But we’d be wrong. In fact, it’s the very opposite. David’s questions grew out of his deep love for and faith in God. David can’t make sense of his situation—so he asks God, “How can this be? And where are you?” Likewise, when you find yourself questioning God, take comfort that we, like David, can question God in faith.

 

We have another source of comfort. As Christians, we have deep reassurance even when life’s problems seem impossible to overcome. We know that, even if we don’t see relief on this side of heaven, we will see wholeness and healing in heaven. However, in returning to David we find that he has something to say about eternity too. In what is probably the most well-known psalm, David speaks of God’s continual care. God is pictured as a shepherd who provides food, rest, guidance, and protection from enemies, and even from fear. We might expect the following words to be David’s grand finale: “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life” (Psalm 23:6, KJV). What could be better? David continues and powerfully answers that question: “I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” Though David’s life will end, God’s care for him will never end.

 

The same is true for us. Jesus promised to prepare a place for us in the house of the Lord (cf. John 14:2-3), and God’s care for us there is eternal. Like David, you may find yourself amid struggle today. In the next few days, I hope that the devotions will help you find comfort and assurance of God’s perfect plan for your life.