The Great Weaver

O LORD, you have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O LORD, you know it altogether. You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high; I cannot attain it. Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me. If I say, “Surely the darkness shall cover me, and the light about me be night,” even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is bright as the day, for darkness is as light with you. For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them. (Psalm 139:1-16 ESV). How many times have you gotten envelopes that had big letters on the outside saying something like “You are guaranteed to win 10 million dollars?” Of course, in little tiny print, it says, “if your lucky numbers are the ones chosen at random from the 17 billion others.” And if you’ve ripped the envelope open before you’ve read the small print, you’ll realize that the main purpose of this letter is not to inform you that you’re really rich, but to try to get you to buy magazines or some other product that you probably don’t want. Have you noticed that the only time the world tells us we’re something special, is when they’re trying to sell us something? Are you somebody special? It would seem a godly humility to say, “Oh no, I’m just an ordinary person. Nothing special about me.” However, that’s not the teaching of Scripture. David’s song of praise today clearly says, “I am wonderful!” Has that shepherd boy turned king become arrogant? No, because David doesn’t say, “I’m wonderful because of what I have done!” He says, “I’m wonderful because God does really good work.” In the first six verses, David talks of how intimately God knows us. We say we “know” someone if we can put their name together with their face But that’s not the kind of knowledge God has of you and me. He knows everything about us. He knows our habits. He knows and understands our thoughts. I don’t even always understand my own thoughts. Not only does God know us better than you know ourselves; He is always with us. This is the impact of verses seven through twelve. David reflects on the facts that God knows him intimately and that God is always with him. Then he moves into a reflection based on the fact that God has created him. And David is quick to say, he thinks God has done a fantastic job! The world says, “You are simply a by-product of a natural reproductive process.” But the Bible says, “You are wonderful!” This is true because you were handmade by a Master Craftsman. Science can explain where babies come from, but it can’t explain why every birth feels like a miracle. It can’t explain why the wonder of it takes our breath away. Maybe you think, “OK, I’m wonderful in the sense that all humans, all of God’s creatures, are wonderful. But that still doesn’t prove there’s anything unique about me. I still just ‘a regular person.’” But David’s not done. As we go on, I’m going to suggest some alternate translations. Poetry can be difficult to understand, and it’s even harder to translate, and there can be several ideas about what is the best way to translate it. One possible translation of verse fourteen is, “I am distinguished by your wondrous works.” Or more simply, you’re wonderful because you reflect your Creator in a way that is absolutely unique. When God hand-crafted you, he didn’t just say, OK, let’s make another one, this time with brown hair, or with blue eyes. You are one of a kind! David likens God’s work to that of a weaver. He picks the exact color and thickness of every strand, then He carefully puts them together to create a unique and beautiful creation. When your mother told you “They broke the mold when they made you,” she was partly right! There is no “mold.” There is only hand-crafting. And, that is by the Great Weaver! You’re wonderful because a Master Craftsman created you. You’re wonderful because you uniquely reflect the character of the one who created you. You are wonderful because your life has a purpose. It’s okay to say, “I’m wonderful” – not out of pride in yourself, but because you were created by a Master Craftsman, because you uniquely reflect the character of God and because your life has a purpose. Celebrate today that wonderful work!

You Are My Sunshine

Are any among you suffering? They should keep on praying about it. And those who have reason to be thankful should continually sing praises to the Lord. (James 5:13-14 NLV). Like any good mother, when Karen found out that another baby was on the way, she did what she could to help her 3-year-old son, Michael, prepare for a new sibling. They found out that the new baby was going to be a girl, and day after day, night after night, Michael sang to his sister in Mommy's tummy. He was building a bond of love with his little sister before he even met her. The pregnancy progressed normally for Karen, an active member of the Panther Creek United Methodist Church in Morristown, Tennessee. In time, the labor pains came. Soon it was every five minutes, then every three, then every minute. But serious complications arose during delivery and Karen found herself in hours of labor. Finally, after a long struggle, Michael's little sister was born. But she was in very serious condition. With a siren howling in the night, the ambulance rushed the infant to the neonatal intensive care unit at St. Mary's Hospital, Knoxville, Tennessee. The days inched by. The little girl got worse. The pediatric specialist regretfully had to tell the parents, "There is very little hope. Be prepared for the worst." Karen and her husband contacted a local cemetery about a burial plot. They had fixed up a special room in their home for the new baby but now they found themselves having to plan for a funeral. Michael, however, kept begging his parents to let him see his sister. "I want to sing to her," he kept saying. Week two in intensive care looked as if a funeral would come before the week was over. Michael kept nagging about singing to his sister, but kids are never allowed in Intensive Care. Karen made up her mind, though. She would take Michael whether they liked it or not! If he didn't see his sister right then, he may never see her alive. She dressed him in an oversized scrub suit and marched him into ICU. He looked like a walking laundry basket. But the head nurse recognized him as a child and bellowed, "Get that kid out of here now! No children are allowed. The mother rose up strong in Karen, and the usually mild-mannered lady glared steel-eyed right into the head nurse's face, her lips a firm line. "He is not leaving until he sings to his sister!" Karen towed Michael to his sister's bedside. He gazed at the tiny infant losing the battle to live. After a moment, he began to sing. In the pure-hearted voice of a 3-year-old, Michael sang: "You are my sunshine, my only sunshine, you make me happy when skies are gray. Instantly the baby girl seemed to respond. The pulse rate began to calm down and become steady. "Keep on singing, Michael," encouraged Karen with tears in her eyes. "You never know, dear, how much I love you, Please don't take my sunshine away-" As Michael sang to his sister, the baby's ragged, strained breathing became as smooth as a kitten's purr. "Keep on singing, sweetheart!" "The other night, dear, as I lay sleeping, I dreamed I held you in my arms..." Michael's little sister began to relax as rest, healing rest, seemed to sweep over her. "Keep on singing, Michael." Tears had now conquered the face of the bossy head nurse. Karen glowed. "You are my sunshine, my only sunshine. Please don't, take my sunshine away..." The next, day, the very next day, the little girl was well enough to go home! Woman's Day Magazine called it "The Miracle of a Brother's Song." The medical staff just called it a miracle. Karen called it a miracle of God's love! There are still miracles today. What miracle do you need? Begin by singing His praises and see what marvelous thing He has waiting for you!

Ten Ways to a Happy Day

For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness. So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, are drunk at night. But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation. For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him. Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing. (1 Thessalonians 5:5-11 ESV). After reading this morning’s Scripture, it occurred to me that we have so much to be happy about. Yet, for many our practical experience is one of frustration and unhappiness. The following ten suggestions may be of help to you in applying the principles of experiencing happiness each day. 1. Today, I will not strike back. If someone is rude, if someone is impatient, if someone is unkind, I will not respond in a like manner. 2. Today, I will ask God to bless my “enemy”. If I come across someone who treats me harshly or unfairly, I will quietly ask GOD to bless that individual. I understand the "enemy" could be a family member, neighbor, co-worker or stranger. 3. Today, I will be careful about what I say. I will carefully choose and guard my words so that I will be certain that I do not spread gossip. 4. Today, I will go the extra mile. I will find ways to help share the burden of another person. 5. Today, I will forgive. I will forgive any hurts or injuries that come my way. 6. Today, I will do something nice for someone, but I will do it secretly. I will reach out anonymously and bless the life of another. 7. Today, I will treat others the way I want to be treated. I will practice the golden rule: "Do unto others as I would have them do unto me.” 8. Today, I will raise the spirits of someone who is discouraged. My smile, my words, my expression of support, can make the difference to someone who is wrestling with life. I will use those resources for their good. 9. Today, I will nurture my body. I will eat less; I will eat only healthy foods. I will thank God for my body. 10. Today, I will grow spiritually. I will spend a little more time in prayer today: I will begin reading something spiritual or inspirational today; I will find a quiet place, at some point during this day, and listen to God's voice!

Anger or Anguish?

Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing. If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless. (James 1:19-26 ESV). Will Rogers was known for his laughter, but he also knew how to weep. One day he was entertaining at the Milton H. Berry Institute in Los Angeles, a hospital that specialized in rehabilitating polio victims and people with broken backs and other extreme physical handicaps. Of course, Rogers had everybody laughing, even patients in really bad condition; but then he suddenly left the platform and went to the rest room. Milton Berry followed him to give him a towel; and when he opened the door, he saw Will Rogers leaning against the wall, sobbing like a child. He closed the door, and in a few minutes, Rogers appeared back on the platform, as jovial as before. It has been said that if you want to learn what a person is really like, ask three questions:  What makes him laugh?  What makes him angry?  What makes him weep? These are fairly good tests of character that are especially appropriate for Christian leaders. I hear people saying, “We need angry leaders today!” or “The time has come to practice militant Christianity!” Perhaps, but James reminds us that “the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.” What we need today is not anger, but anguish, the kind of anguish that Moses displayed when he broke the two tablets of the law and then climbed the mountain to intercede for his people, or that Jesus displayed when He cleansed the temple and then wept over the city. The difference between anger and anguish is a broken heart. It’s easy to get angry, especially at somebody else’s sins; but it’s not easy to look at sin, our own included, and weep over it. I have found that it is very easy for me to laugh and, of course, it is altogether too easy to get angry. However, the greatest challenge for me is to learn the true humility of anguish. It was a tragic mistake. On July 3, 1988, the navy cruiser USS Vincennes shot down an Iranian airliner with 290 aboard. All were lost. The ship's captain mistakenly thought they were under attack by an F-14 Iranian fighter. Public opinion polls showed that most Americans opposed paying compensation to the victims' families. The cruel treatment of American hostages in Iran was still fresh in many minds. But President Reagan approved compensation. Asked by reporters if such payment would send the wrong signal, he replied, "I don't ever find compassion a bad precedent." To many people, the principle of revenge is so much simpler to practice. Yet compassion is Christ's way -- a deep caring for the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of the whole person. It reveals the heart of God for sinful people -- for you and for me. Abraham Lincoln said, “I am sorry for the man who can't feel the whip when it is laid on the other man's back.” What makes you weep today?

Two Stories

A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, and favor is better than silver or gold. (Proverbs 22:1 ESV). World War II produced many heroes. One such man was Butch O'Hare. He was a fighter pilot assigned to an aircraft carrier in the South Pacific. One day his entire squadron was sent on a mission. After he was airborne, he looked at his fuel gauge and realized that someone had forgotten to top off his fuel tank. He would not have enough fuel to complete his mission and get back to his ship. His flight leader told him to return to the carrier. Reluctantly he dropped out of formation and headed back to the fleet. As he was returning to the mother ship, he saw something that turned his blood cold. A squadron of Japanese Zeroes was speeding their way toward the American fleet. The American fighters were gone on a sortie and the fleet was all but defenseless. He couldn't reach his squadron and bring them back in time to save the fleet. Nor could he warn the fleet of the approaching danger. There was only one thing to do. He must somehow divert them from the fleet. Laying aside all thoughts of personal safety, he dove into the formation of Japanese planes. Wing-mounted 50 caliber’s blazed as he charged in, attacking one surprised enemy plane and then another. Butch wove in and out of the now broken formation and fired at as many planes as possible until finally all his ammunition was spent. Undaunted, he continued the assault. He dove at the Zeroes, trying to at least clip off a wing or tail, in hopes of damaging as many enemy planes as possible and rendering them unfit to fly. He was desperate to do anything he could to keep them from reaching the American ships. Finally, the exasperated Japanese squadron took off in another direction. Deeply relieved, Butch O'Hare and his tattered fighter limped back to the carrier. Upon arrival he reported in and related the event surrounding his return. The film from the camera mounted on his plane told the tale. It showed the extent of Butch's daring attempt to protect his fleet. He was recognized as a hero and given one of the nation's highest military honors. And today, O'Hare Airport in Chicago is named in tribute to the courage of this great man. Some years earlier there was a man in Chicago called Easy Eddie. At that time, Al Capone virtually owned the city. Capone wasn't famous for anything heroic. His exploits were anything but praiseworthy. He was however, notorious for enmeshing the city of Chicago in everything from bootlegged booze and prostitution to murder. Easy Eddie was Capone's lawyer and for a good reason. He was very good! In fact, his skill at legal maneuvering kept Big Al out of jail for a long time. To show his appreciation, Capone paid him very well. Not only was the money big, Eddie got special dividends. For instance, he and his family occupied a fenced-in mansion with live-in help and all of the conveniences of the day. The estate was so large that it filled an entire Chicago city block. Yes, Eddie lived the high life of the Chicago mob and gave little consideration to the atrocity that went on around him. Eddy did have one soft spot, however. He had a son that he loved dearly. Eddy saw to it that his young son had the best of everything clothes, cars, and a good education. Nothing was withheld. Price was no object. And, despite his involvement with organized crime, Eddie even tried to teach him right from wrong. Yes, Eddie tried to teach his son to rise above his own sordid life. He wanted him to be a better man than he was. Yet, with all his wealth and influence, there were two things that Eddie couldn't give his son. Two things that Eddie sacrificed to the Capone mob that he could not pass on to his beloved son--a good name and a good example. One day, Easy Eddie reached a difficult decision. Offering his son a good name was far more important than all the riches he could lavish on him. He had to rectify all the wrong that he had done. He would go to the authorities and tell the truth about Scar-face Al Capone. He would try to clean up his tarnished name and offer his son some semblance of integrity. To do this he must testify against The Mob, and he knew that the cost would be great. But more than anything, he wanted to be an example to his son. He wanted to do his best to make restoration and hopefully have a good name to leave his son. So, he testified. Within the year, Easy Eddie's life ended in a blaze of gunfire on a lonely Chicago street. He had given his son the greatest gift he had to offer at the greatest price he would ever pay. I know what you're thinking. What do these two stories have to do with one another? Well, you see, Butch O'Hare was Easy Eddie's son. Make your commitment to conduct yourself with honesty and integrity throughout this day.

How to Face Your Past

It always affects me the same. It’s the phone call that begins: “Donnie…” I suppose its because I know only people from my very distant past call my by that name! So many things come flooding back into my mind from those very early days. Isn’t a weird feeling to reflect back over your life? It’s like looking through a photo album. There are thousands of emotions and feelings caught up in each picture. Some are joyous and delightful. Yet, some pictures drag us back to a time of turmoil. Sometimes the turmoil may never have been resolved. Yet, dealing with out past effectively is one of the most important things we can learn to insure our happiness in the present. People have learned to deal with their past in several ways. Some simply ignore it. This is the individual who lives only for today without thought of yesterday and inevitably commits those same mistakes that brought them to where they are now. Others attempt to rewrite the past. They take their verbal pen in hand and create a whole new life that has little or no basis in truth. Still others merely live in the past. They are permanently attached to the “good, old days.” They’ve never moved on. The best way to deal with the past is to learn from it. This is what the apostle Paul meant when he wrote to the Roman Church: For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. (Romans 15:4 ESV). There are four steps that I think may be of help to you in learning from your past. 1. First, begin with prayer. It does seem like a strange place to begin as you review the past, but it will keep you properly focused. Starting with who God is keeps us from going off the path. What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? (Romans 8:31-35 ESV). 2. Second, reflect and give thanks. As you look back over your life, there may be plenty of things to mar the view. Bad decisions, failed opportunities and personal brokenness may litter the landscape. This is the primary reason that you take God with you when you look back. 3. Third, discover and confess your sin. Here’s the part where many of us get into trouble. After we have looked back, we forget to ask the question, “Now what?” This can be the greatest question you can ask yourself. You may have stumbled and tumbled all over the place, but what will prevent you from being victimized by your past is the questions: “Now what?” and “What am I going to do now?” What does God want us to do with it? If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9 ESV). 4. Fourth, commit yourself to a new direction in the future. In 1886 Daniel B. Tower, director of the music department at Chicago Bible Institute, was leading the music for evangelist D. L. Moody’s series of meetings in Brockton, MA. A young man rose to give a testimony and said, “I am not quite sure – but I am going to trust, and I’m going to obey.” From this quote came the hymn we know as “Trust and Obey”. Trust and obedience work hand-in-hand. Trust without obedience is empty bragging. Obedience without trust is legalism. I trust God with the things that have gone on before in my life. I trust Him to forgive and remove those things as far as the east is from the west. I trust when the Father said that the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ, paid the penalty for my sins so that I could become part of His family. Then I may obey. Are you ready to face your past today? You can!

A Home Run

Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a desolate place by himself. But when the crowds heard it, they followed him on foot from the towns. When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick. Now when it was evening, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a desolate place, and the day is now over; send the crowds away to go into the villages and buy food for themselves.” But Jesus said, “They need not go away; you give them something to eat.” They said to him, “We have only five loaves here and two fish.” And he said, “Bring them here to me.” Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass, and taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and said a blessing. Then he broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. And they all ate and were satisfied. And they took up twelve baskets full of the broken pieces left over. And those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children. (Matthew 14:13-21 ESV). He was born in 1934 at Mobile, Alabama. No one could have ever dreamed that he would grow up and become a household name to anyone who followed the game of baseball. Henry Louis Aaron, known to all as Hank Aaron, was among the first blacks to play a full career in the major leagues. He began in 1954 and retired in 1976. However, the most memorable moment came on April 23, 1974, when he broke Babe Ruth’s home run record. His legendary mark of 755 career home runs still stands today. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1982. He had done what most believed to be impossible! It is amazing what impossible things have been accomplished to those who merely believed. That is the background of our Scripture this morning. Jesus had been teaching for sometime and the disciples had become concerned about feeding so many people if He continued. Jesus replied without hesitation, “Feed them.” Their response was to exclaim how impossible that task would be. Almost as a joke, Andrew brings a little boy’s lunch to Jesus. From those five biscuits and two little fish, in the hands of Jesus, five thousand people were fully fed and satisfied! There are two important lessons for us in this story. First, nothing is impossible in the hands of Jesus. Regardless of the challenges we face today, if we trust ourselves to Him, we will find a way. It may come from the most unexpected of places, or in the most unbelievable of means, but He will provide a way. Second, even the smallest of resources is enough in Jesus’ hands. No talent or resource is so small as to be inadequate in His hands. The key is in our faith. If you know something of chemistry, you know that if you mix hydrogen and oxygen, the well-known components of water, you get no reaction -- and no water! But if you add a small amount of platinum to this stable mixture, things began to happen very rapidly. The hydrogen and oxygen unite and a chemical change occurs which produces H2O. Just as platinum is needed as a catalyst to achieve the desired result, so faith must be present in our walk with the Lord if we are to experience progress in our relationship with Him. We have to rely wholly upon the wisdom and integrity of God's written Word and be confident that He can and will do the things He has promised. Furthermore, we must abandon any reservations that might hinder our Christian growth if we want the kind of transformation that true faith can bring. This vital ingredient must be introduced to give meaning to our Bible reading, our prayers, and our church attendance. If we follow this formula, we will see the difference Christ can make in our lives. Then we'll fully understand the "chemistry" of spiritual change. Philip Yancey defines faith as: "Believing in advance in something that will only seem logical when seen in reverse." Go as far as you can see, and when you get there you will always be able to see farther. Hit a home run today with your faith!