Gentle Wind - 2/16/2010

Elijah was the last prophet of God in his day - all the others had been killed. When he heard that King Ahab's wife Jezebel was planning to kill him, he fled to the desert. There, God asked Elijah to stand in front of Him on the mountain, and He would pass in front of Elijah. Moses had to ask God for this honor. Here, God freely offered it to Elijah. Before God passed by though, His power first passed in front of him:

1 Kings 19:11-13, "The Lord said, 'Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.' Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave. Then a voice said to him, "What are you doing here, Elijah?"

God passed in a quiet, gentle sound. A whisper. I love that! The God of all creation could have passed in any display of power He wanted, and His very power did precede Him, but he was not in those displays. To represent His very presence, He chose a quiet, gentle sound. How many times have we sought to hear God, looking for earthquakes and fires and awe-inspiring signs, when we should be listening for a gentle whisper?

God is not one who delights in showy displays of His ability, but one who delights in His children. As a Father, He made Himself approachable in gentleness. After displaying what He can do, He finished by showing what He's like before asking Elijah why he was in the desert.

He did not want to put on a "Hey-look-what-I-can-do-and-you-can't" fireworks show. He wanted to have a conversation with his child. It struck me that God did not comfort Elijah in this moment. If I were the last living servant of God and people were trying to kill me, I might be seeking a kind word or two. Instead, God directed Elijah immediately to his next task. God's presence was comfort enough! God's demonstration of His ability was comfort enough. Elijah had all he needed to be obedient to God, and so much more.

So do we. After Jesus' sacrifice, He gave us the gift of the Holy Spirit - God's presence is always with us. And we have before us a testimony of all God has done. We don't need an earthquake or a fire, we have the Bible, the testimony of believers, and His very creation all around us. We, like Elijah, should be able to stand firm in the middle of our trials and simply receive direction from God; simply listen to that gentle whisper in our heart that would guide us toward the next way we can serve Him.

Thank you, Lord, that yours is the way of peace and gentleness, knowing you have the power to move ... yet instead I am moved.

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Abba, Father - 8/29/09

Psalm 127:1, "Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it" (NASB).

I love the way God uses His word to speak to me! I understand why it is called "the living word," since a verse you've read before that didn't really apply can suddenly come alive - jumping off the page to speak to your current situation.

That's what this scripture above did for me. It began with my studying Hebrew. I think the Hebrew script is beautiful, and to satisfy curiosity I have been studying it during Corban's naps. The day I finished learning all the consonants, I turned to that day's reading in the Bible which began with Psalm 119 - an acrostic poem based on the Hebrew alphabet! Originally, each verse began with one Hebrew letter. I might have considered that a coincidence, but then I clicked through a couple pages online, and suddenly was looking at my first name written in Hebrew! One of only two names on the page. I think these two "coincidences" were God's way of encouraging me to continue studying the language.

So far, I learned that the Hebrew characters began as pictures that evolved into an alphabet over time. To infer deeper meaning in the words, some people have substituted the modern letters with the original pictograms, using the meaning of those ancient pictures to get a deeper understanding of that word. For example, "El," the root word for "God," (אֵל) can be traced back to a picture of an ox and a staff, the two images together meaning "Strong Leader." Likewise, the picture-word for "father," or "abba," (אָבּ) is an ox and a house, meaning "Strength of the House."

So with this in mind, I turned to today's reading in the Bible, Psalm 127:1. It states, "Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it." Abba. Father. Strength of the House. Who is the strength of the house? God, our Father, is the Strength of the House. He is the one who must build it; He is the one who must be the foundation for my family. Jesus said in Matthew 7:24-27, "

Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash" (NIV).

I can let Jesus Christ and His teachings be the foundation for my house, and it will endure life's storms. Or, I can try to do it on my own and watch it all "fall with a great crash" when those storms come along. I am a father now, I am Abba. I am supposed to be the strength of the house. But, without a foundation built by my God, my "Strong Leader," my efforts to establish a safe home to raise and guide my family are in vain. I must rely on God's strength, not my own, to provide for my family.

If a father is to be the strength of his family, then surely the enemy will recognize that threat and attack it first. As a father then, it is important to take extra care to anticipate attacks in areas where I am weak (i.e., temptations). How many families in our country live in a house without a father, without abba? Clearly these attacks have been successful in our culture, given the number of students I have without a father in the home. Fortunately for fatherless homes, our Heavenly Father can be our Abba.

He can be the strength of any house.

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Son Shine - 8/13/09

Psalm 84:1-2, 10, "How lovely is your dwelling place, O LORD Almighty! My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the LORD; ... Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere..." (NIV).

Psalm 86:10, "You alone are God" (NIV)

Yesterday Melissa and I were talking about where to go on vacation at the end of the month. She's concerned that I didn't really get a summer break, having spent all my time with our newborn son. I love her. I didn't mind that, but I'll take a getaway! We kicked around a few ideas: the Oregon coast, Suncadia, and San Diego.

Ah, San Diego - my favorite U.S. city on the mainland. That night with San Diego on the mind, I read Psalm 84. This Psalm inspired the popular song by Third Day, "Better Is One Day." On any other evening, coming across this Psalm may not have seemed significant. But this evening, while dreaming of the warm sands of La Jolla and Pacific Beach, I'm reminded of my mother by the Psalm I read. She and I made dozens of trips to San Diego to visit her doctor before she passed away there. This song by Third Day was always one of her favorites. The coincidence between reading this Psalm and its connection to the destination I had in mind struck me. But then, with God, there really aren't many coincidences.

I kept reading the Psalms while listening to some music. My current favorite song by Hillsong United, "Till I See You," began to play as I read Psalm 86. The very second I began reading the line of verse 10, "You alone are God," those exact words played in my headphones.

Two notable parallels in one night's reading leads me to believe there is more than mere coincidence at play here. This is how God so often speaks to me or gives me encouragement, or words of confirmation.

So, I should probably try to figure out what He's trying to tell me ... though I think I can just take it all at face value. It's true that I may be exasperated by the region in which I live and I may pine for the sunshine and warm water of California. I may want to take that walk down memory lane in San Diego; to stand in the sun and laugh with the shadows. But, all this is temporary.

Because Better Is One Day in His Courts than a thousand days in California, Belize, Hawaii, or any other sunny place I dream of returning to. My mother knows for certain that better is one day in His courts than a thousand elsewhere. And, why should I chase after the sun, when I already have the son? This may be what God is trying to make clear to me. It doesn't matter where I am, this world is temporary. True, permanent happiness can only be found in the Lord God Almighty.

You alone are God. "And that my soul knows very well," to quote another Hillsong.

All I need is Jesus. I may want more, but "all of Him is more than enough for all of me."

So, I can dream of standing in sun, or I can dream of standing in awe of the Son. That's why I like this song that played so much, because as it says, until I see my heavenly Father face to face, I can just stand as a child in awe of Him. So here are the lyrics to that song, may you be blessed by them!

"Till I See You"
by Hillsong United

The greatest love that anyone could ever know
That overcame the cross and grave to find my soul
And 'til I see You face to face and grace amazing
takes me home
I'll trust in You

With all I am I'll live to see Your kingdome come
And in my heart I pray You'd let Your will be done
And 'til I see You face to face and grace amazing
takes me home
I'll trust in You

I will live to love You
I will live to bring You praise
I will live a child in awe of You

You are the voice that called the universe to be
You are the whisper in my heart that speaks to me
And 'til I see you face to face and grace amazing
takes me home
I'll trust in You

You alone are God of all
You alone are worthy Lord
and with all I am my soul will bless Your name

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Sharing What Is Good - 8/6/09

Proverbs 16:17, "Good people stay away from evil. By watching what they do, they protect their lives" (NASB).

Psalm 73:28, "But as for me, the nearness of God is my good; I have made the Lord God my refuge, that I may tell of your works" (NASB).

Psalm 71:18, "I will tell the children about your power; I will tell those who live after me about your might" (NIV)

Today I read Proverbs 16 again, focusing on the verse that stuck out to me yesterday. I've been thinking all day about the concept of "good people," as stated in Proverbs 16 above. I'm reminded of the man who called Jesus "good teacher," to whom he replied that nobody is good. How can I be good, as mentioned in Proverbs 16, if I am not God?

The Lord answered me this evening with the 73rd Psalm. "The nearness of God is my good. I have made the Lord my refuge, that I may tell of your works." This issue may have seemed insignificant to so many people, but it was something I needed to work out for myself. God saw this in my heart and answered my question for me. He is so great! I love how He speaks to me through his word.

Drawing near to God, and making him my refuge, leaves only one more aspect of this Psalm to live out; I must tell of His works. This theme rose briefly in yesterday's devotion in Proverbs 23, to speak what is right. So then, what will I tell of, exactly, and to whom?

Perhaps that's why Psalm 71 also spoke to me during this past day in the Psalms. "I will tell the children about your power; I will tell those who live after me about your might." I feel in my heart when reading this verse that the high school kids Melissa and I host at our house every week are the children I will share God's power with - along with my son and his generation. I will tell them all about Your power.

I pray that my words and a life lived for Jesus will tell those who live after me about his might.

Wisdom Gained - 8/5/09

Proverbs 15:31, "If you listen to correction to improve your life, you will live among the wise."

Proverbs 16:17, "Good people stay away from evil. By watching what they do, they protect their lives."

Proverbs 19:20, "Listen to advice and accept correction, and in the end you will be wise."

Proverbs 23:15-16, "My child, if you are wise, then I will be happy. I will be so pleased if you speak what is right."

As I read through Proverbs, these verses really spoke to my heart. I wrote each one down in turn, without much attention paid to the other verses I picked. I just felt like God was speaking to me through these words but wasn't sure what He was saying. After I'd finished, I read them in the order I had written them down.

My God is also my Father, and I've often looked to Him for guidance, example, and fatherly advice.

Reading these verses in this order was a pretty direct admonition and reminder from God to live rightly and speak what is right. We are all sinners and have fallen short of the glory of God, as the scripture says. Here, however, my heavenly Father offers me correction, with the added benefit of wisdom. I can accept correction and live among the wise, and in so doing I can protect my life - simply by watching what I do. I can be a "good" son by staying away from evil - as the second scripture says.

The third verse then emphasizes what the first one said - but adding that "in the end" I will be wise, indicating that wisdom is a process gained over time. So then, I am to patiently and consistently listen to advice and accept correction. Easier said than done, but my goal nevertheless.

But ultimately, and this is the verse I loved the most, God said to me through the fourth verse that I will make him happy by gaining that wisdom earned through accepting God's advice and correction. The idea that my small, seemingly insignificant actions can make the Creator of the universe happy leaves me dumbfounded. What's more, it says He will be SO pleased if I speak what is right!

Who wouldn't want to please the Lord God Almighty?

Legal Action - 11/24/2008

Romans 7:1-4, "... a person is subject to the law only so long as he is alive. For example, a married woman is by law bound to her husband while he lives; but if the husband dies, she is released from the marriage bond. ... So too, my friends, through the body of Christ you died to the law and were set free to give yourselves to another, to Him who rose from the dead so that we may bear fruit for God."

After reading Romans chapter 7 today, I opened the devotional book by John Piper called The Passion of Jesus Christ: Fifty Reasons Why He Came To Die. The section I opened to began with Romans 7:4, the scripture above that I had just finished reading. Sometimes when God speaks to me through a scripture, the exact same verses will come up elsewhere as confirmation. I love when he does that!

As a Christian, I am not under the law anymore but under grace. Jesus died for us while we were still sinners, and when we sin again, God is not waiting there to strike us with a lightning bolt and destroy us for our sin because we broke the law. This is something I struggle with from time to time. He may discipline us, like any good Father, but we are washed clean in His sight by his sinless blood shed on our behalf, so He doesn't need to strike us down. His amazing grace covers our sin - we are only to turn away from it and follow Him.

That's hard. Since I've been made aware of the law, I have guilt when I sin. Sometimes this guilt is a stumbling block that keeps me from approaching Him. It's almost as if I want to be chastised before coming back into the presence of God. I want a consequence that tells me I've paid for my sin and am now clean enough to come back to God. That ain't gonna happen.

God already paid the price; the consequence was his suffering and death on the cross. He had to do be the one to do it - we can never be cleansed by our own works. He did this for us while we were still sinners as the scripture states. He didn't wait for us to clean up, to "get good enough" before we were worthy of His presence. He just paid our debt and waits for us with open arms - THAT'S amazing grace.

For a Christ follower then, we are commanded how to live, but we will surely continue making mistakes. If I sin, I know that it is wrong, against the very desires of my own spirit, as Paul explained in Romans 7:14-25, and I have guilt. I know what I've done violates God's law that he delivered to us. Earlier in Romans 7:7 it says, "... Yet had it not been for the law I should never have become acquainted with sin. For example, I should never have known what it was to covet, if the law had not said, 'You shall not covet.'" So when I do stumble, my mistakes often become something I dwell upon, knowing that God said it was wrong and required cleansing before we could enter into presence once again - just as the rituals of the Old Testament indicated. However, this is no longer the case - we've been cleansed by the blood of Jesus, poured out for us. The laws for atonement in the Old Testament - the laws that revealed to us God's nature - no longer apply.

I think this is why so many critics point to the contradictions of the Bible as an excuse to throw out the whole text. I've found that many look at the law of Moses in the Old Testament (sacrifice, rituals, etc.), and compare it to the message of Jesus Christ in the New Testament to say that the Bible contradicts itself.

Well, of course it does!

The law given by God was one meant to make us holy in his sight, to cleanse us before approaching the tabernacle of His presence. Perhaps in this way God has shown us how far we've fallen from what it means to be holy, as God is holy. But as the scripture above from Romans states, we are freed from the law by death. It further clarifies that through the death of Jesus Christ, we are released from the same law. His sinless blood shed for us was the last sacrifice needed to cleanse us of our sins, and by that death we are freed from the law. It is written that in this way, Christ fulfilled the law. It was not thrown out - God does not change. He still required atonement for sin, but Christ's sinless blood was enough to do so for all mankind if they would only freely accept that gift.

How comforting! How refreshing to know that because our flesh is sinful, we will still make mistakes, but the death of Jesus Christ allows us to be clean in His sight, so that we may enter into His presence and worship the risen Lord! Even more comforting to know that after death, when my sinful flesh is put away for eternity, I will be left with only the transformed spirit washed clean by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Behold, he makes all things new!

Thank you Jesus for your amazing grace; a grace that allows us to enter into your presence in whatever state we're in. Thank you for accepting us as we are, and loving us enough to give your very life for our salvation when we've done nothing to deserve it.

Paralells in Selfless Living - 6/26,2008

1 Corinthians 10:31-33, "...if you eat, or drink, or if you do anything, do it all for the glory of God. Never do anything that might hurt others - Jews, Greeks, or God's church. I am not trying to do what is good for me but what is good for most people so they can be saved."

The other day I read this section in 1 Corinthians that talks first about living for Christ and submitting to His authority - living in a way that honors Him and does not hurt others. Later, it continues with the relationship between husbands and wives; about authority under God and how they're dependent on one another and how they both come from God.

Today I wanted to read in Ephesians, and the same pattern emerged. It paralleled exactly the themes I read on Tuesday. The first scripture that caught my eye was Ephesians 5:15, "So be very careful how you live. Do not live like those who are not wise, but live wisely. Use every chance you have for doing good, because these are evil times." I thought this was an interesting connection to the command I read in 1 Corinthians: do everything for the Glory of God and do nothing to hurt others. Then I read on into verses 21-27, "Yield to each other because you respect Christ. Wives, yield to your husbands, as you do the Lord ... Husbands, love your wives as Christ loved the church and gave himself for it.."

So basically in two days I read two sections of scripture that spoke on the same two topics: living responsibly and marital relationships. Coincidence? I think not. I believe God was talking to me in this way, reminding me that I am under His authority and to live in a way that honors Him. This applies to all relationships, and calls for me to put the needs of others before my own. It is a command for selfless living. This is how all Christians are supposed to live, and many I know do live in this way.

It frustrates me, though, that the irresponsible minority who claim one thing but live another have come to represent Christians as a whole in our society. It makes it very difficult to convince non-Christians that we really do try to live according to the teachings of Jesus Christ, the son of God who allowed Himself to be killed to atone for our sins, enabling Him to bless us with everlasting life without breaking the law of His Father that called for the punishment of sin. He took on that punishment for us as the only one worthy to do so. He was given all authority in Heaven and Earth for being obedient in that task. By His authority and because of His great love, He has forgiven us of everything we've ever done or thought that offended God - cleansing us in His sight and making us worthy of spending eternity in His presence, though we do not deserve it. We need only accept His gift of love and atonement, though we haven't earned it or deserve it. That's His Amazing Grace.

It is because of that selfless sacrifice that I am called to live in a way that would honor the One who gave of Himself so freely for the salvation of the world. If I represent Him - and as a Christian I do - then it is my duty to live in a way that does not hurt others. It is my duty to do what is good for others, and not myself. It is my duty to live wisely, always thinking of the future and of how my actions affect those around me. It is my duty to yield to my wife and love her as much as Christ loved the church - which means being willing to give my very life for her. And, it is my duty to share with others the love and grace of our God, who loved the world so much that He freely gave his only Son so that we may believe in Him and have everlasting life.

It seems like a great challenge, but Jesus Christ promised that it is easier than the burdens of the world. He told us that his yoke is easy, and the burden light. He said that the road is narrow that leads to Him - we must live purposefully and specifically to honor Him, and we will be rewarded greatly for it. I already see the blessings of my Father in my life, from a changed heart to a life of abundance. I can't imagine what the eternal blessings will be like, then. So what's stopping you? Because the scripture tells us He died for us while we were still sinners. He didn't wait for us to clean up our act before loving us enough to die for us, so we shouldn't try to do so before accepting that gift. Don't let guilt or shame or feelings of unworthiness stop you from accepting the gift he offers to you just as you are...

Thank you, Jesus, for your love and grace...

He Loves Me This Much - 4/26/08

2 Corinthians 6:18, "I will be your Father, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty."

God led me awhile ago to blog about this topic during my devotions, but I fled from it like Jonah running from the fish-slapping people of Nineveh, as we saw in the Veggie Tales movie. I didn't really want to risk offending my earthly father, so I ignored it entirely; I pretended like God didn't remind me of what He's done in my life. How silly. Lucky for me, He's not really one to let us ignore things ...

Today with a thirst for God's word and His presence, I sat down with my Bible and some music to seek His face. The first song, "Marvelous Light" by Charlie Hall started playing. The line, "I once was fatherless..." started playing as I turned the page in 2 Corinthians and read the line "I will be your Father..."

This was the very subject I avoided a couple weeks ago so I wouldn't risk offending my earthly dad.

The fact is, this is my testimony. I didn't grow up with a father around, and God filled that role for me when I was very young. He has done great things for me and in me; He has made me who I am and given me the life I enjoy today. He has been my God, my Father, my Friend, my Teacher. What right do I have to rob my God of His glory?

I was weak for shamefully putting anything before God, whether it be my own fear or another person's feelings. If the early Christians worried about offending people with their message of hope, the church would never have spread to the rest of the world.

God has promised that He will be our Father, in more places than just this one scripture. Our earthly fathers are temporary. And as humans, we're all broken and flawed. What can our earthly father provide that God cannot? Absolutely nothing ... and God gives us so much more. Beginning with his sacrifice on our behalf; his unconditional love and forgiveness. He also offers us a relationship.

He wants to be the One we go to, our confidant, friend, father, guide. He freely gives His love, and at times that love manifests in discipline - like any caring father. But ultimately He is the only constant in our lives, the only one whose love will not fade or change. He is the only part of our lives that will never change from now through eternity. Who wouldn't want that?

When God first brought this blog to mind, I was reminded of a music video that was played years ago at a men's conference in Seattle that I went to. Unfortunately, it is a country song. There's nothing really wrong with that, it's just not the music I choose to listen to. However, the message is moving and summarizes exactly how much our heavenly Father loves us. Here it is for your viewing pleasure, "I Love You This Much" by Jimmy Wayne:



Thank you, Father, for your love and guidance. I apologize for my disobedience. I love you, you are my Father and my friend and have paid the greatest price for me.

Authority - 1/8/2008

Romans 13:1, "All of you must yield to the government rulers. No one rules unless God has given him the power to rule, and no one rules now without that power from God."

This morning, God reminded me that people who have authority are in such a position because He put them there. What they do in that position, of course, is up to them and many people throughout history will have to have an uncomfortable talk with God about how they abused that authority. But, the fact is, as Christians we are to submit to the authority in our lives; to God's authority and the law of the land. Rebelling against that authority is said in this chapter of Romans to be equal to rebellion against God Himself; against the laws and leadership He has established.

I believe this applies to the workplace as well, and that's why I feel like God used this verse to talk to me this morning about my attitude at work. Our bossess and employers hold positions of authority in our lives, and I see no reason not to think God would have also established them in those positions...

Yesterday I learned that I will have to move my 6th period class to another room every day - an incredible inconvenience that will throw off my routine for that period. As I allowed this information to stew in my mind, I continued to add resentment to the broth, turned up the heat, and let it simmer. I felt the administration should sample my bitter stew - to at least hear how this schedule will affect my daily life, even if it is only for one semester, even if voicing my disapproval will bring about no changes to the schedule. I don't care that they don't have options, this makes things harder for ME!

That's when God put me in check. I read this verse, and through it He reminded me that as a Christian I am to be recognized as somebody who respects authority - both earthly and divine. If I am asked to do something inconvenient at work, it is my job to do it. After all, I'm getting paid to.

Even as I was reading this verse though, I felt slighted by the administration's decision. I took it personally, even though it wasn't a personal attack. I thought to myself, "Why don't I just find a job at a school that has room for me and will make me feel welcome? I'm a good teacher. I take my job seriously. Any other school would be glad to have me." Dangerous, prideful thinking. I immediately glanced up, and verse 16 of chapter 12 read itself to me, "...do not think how smart you are."

Oops. Okay, already! I'll be good. Which, as it says here in the Bible, is how you defeat evil. Romans 12:21, "Do not let evil defeat you, but defeat evil by doing good."

Thank you, Jesus, for the gentle reminder this morning. Thank you for speaking to me through your word. Thank you for keeping me on track and reminding me of my job as a teacher and as a Christian.

Give It A-Way - 12/20/07

Mark 4:21&24, "Then Jesus said to them, 'Do you hide a lamp under a bowl or under a bed? No! You put the lamp on a lampstand.' ... The way you give to others is the way God will give to you, but God will give you even more."

I think these two verses jumped out at me this morning as instructions from God on how I am to handle a situation at work.

One of our secretaries was gone for a week and a half - I didn't know why until I welcomed her back. It turns out, her mother passed away. She began telling me a little bit about her family, explaining that her mom was sick for six years before passing away.

My dear God...

I started telling her about my own mother, who was also sick for six years before Heaven became her forwarding address. As we were speaking, I kept thinking about the book Traveling Light by Max Lucado. This book is about the baggage we all carry around with us, and how we can give it over to God, one bag at a time. One piece of "luggage" in the book is the burden of grief - I think our secretary can benefit from it.

An interesting aside, however ... the book is called Traveling Light. Jesus said, "I am the light of the world." He traveled around while teaching. He WAS Traveling Light. His teachings now travel around the world, giving light. And now, a teacher, who loves traveling, has purchased a copy to give to a person who needs the Light Of The World to help her "travel light." GOD ROCKS!

My original plan, before reading this scripture, was to anonymously place the book in her mailbox, maybe with a sticky note on the applicable chapter. I wanted to avoid potential controversy as a Christian teacher in a public school doing Christian things to people who may or may not believe. But, "Do you hide a lamp under a bowl? No!" I won't be as effective if I hide a book based on God's word hoping she'll read it.

Then I read the next verse, "The way you give to others is the way God will give to you ... but even more." So, if I am giving, but hide who the giver is, then God will give to me in the same way. I will still be blessed, but I won't have the awe-inspiring encounter with the Giver. And if I were to have withheld the gift entirely, God would have dealt with me in the same way.

Jesus also said, "I am the way." If He is, then try replacing the word "way" with His name in the scripture above. "The JESUS you give to others is the JESUS God will give to you, but God will give you even more." Ha ha! I love that!

If we freely give the Word - our God; pass along His Traveling Light to others, then we will receive even more of His word and presence. What an exciting way to live!

So, as a Christian state employee I will not anonymously hide the light for others to stumble upon, but let it boldy shine - so pray for me!

________________________________________________________________________

Tropical Fruit - 7/28/06

John 15:4, "Remian in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing."

"Apart from me you can do nothing." How true is this! I am a broken person born of a sinful nature. Everything I attempt on my own or try to accomplish for my own selfish desires ends in failure. Without God, anything I try to pursue fails to deliver any sense of satisfaction - only a hollow longing for something else.

However, when I remain in Him - remain plugged in to the true vine, I barely even have to try and much fruit is produced in my life. Like in a true branch, His power flows into my life - meeting every true need and causing me to produce beautiful fruit to honor Him.

I don't want to make it sound like I have no troubles and live a carefree lifestyle - though in a sense I do. But, sometimes branches have to be cut back to produce good fruit. We rarely recognize this for what it is during the pruning process. That's why we need to just thank Him for trouble or hard times and always trust in Him. Then, when we see the fruit produced in our lives, it becomes clear why we endured what we did and can give Him glory for it. Everything is done for the same ultimate purpose - to give glory to God.

I am plugged in to my God, and for a season at least He has decided that my wife and I are going to produce tropical fruit for Him. He has called us to Belize to work for Him among His people there. Along the way, every need and want has been satisfied or addressed. The planning stage has gone so smoothly that it became clear only God could have orchestrated this process of relocation - right down to finding a home for our cat. We couldn't do it on our own, though we tried, and resolved to take him to a no-kill shelter full of abandoned cats - a safe but sad solution.

On our last day in Pullman, a woman from our church decided to take Sumo in and love him as an "only cat." I thought to myself, "How great you are, God! Why would YOU care about what happens to this crazy animal - enough to act on it and find a home for him before we leave?" As soon as that thought crossed my mind, another followed right behind it that was not my own,

"Because you do."

God loves me, and I'm plugged in to Him. If I'm a part of the vine, then my needs are His needs, my concerns and worries are also His - regardless of how small they may seem.

So trust in God! Get plugged in! Talk to Him every day! That's how He guides you and helps you produce big, ripe, juicy fruit.

Mango, anyone?

Confirmation - 3/30/06

Okay, so I just published the post below this one and loaded the page to make sure everything uploaded. The automated Verse of the Day on the right had the following scripture posted:

5 But he was pierced for our transgressions,
he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was upon him,
and by his wounds we are healed.

6 We all, like sheep, have gone astray,
each of us has turned to his own way;
and the LORD has laid on him
the iniquity of us all.

It's confirmation for me that this was really where God directed me in answer to my prayer to speak to me through His word tonight. This verse is from Isaiah, the Old Testament prophet who told of the coming Christ, the Messiah. Jesus' life - and death - was the fulfillment of that prophecy. His fulfilling that promise meant we didn't have to live by the law of Moses to be holy any longer; like the verse above states he was crushed for OUR iniquities. We can now live under his grace, washed clean in His sight by the power of his blood, the power of his love...

Our Daily Bread - 3/3/05

During one of the songs at the worship service last night, I started thinking about the Israelites wandering the desert after leaving Egypt, relying on God to provide them their food. I also thought about how God commanded them to take no more than they could consume in a day. If they tried to store up additional baskets of manna, the extra amount would rot and be useless.

These people were forced to rely upon the Lord from day to day. When they went to bed, they didn't have food for breakfast the next day. But they trusted in God, and when they stepped out of their tents the next morning, their daily bread - the manna from heaven - lay all around them. What faith it takes for us to do the same; to look at our empty plates or bank accounts or lives and trust that God will provide exactly what we need, when we need it, and in the amount that will perfectly satisfy that need.

This was before the desert theme at the worship service was explicitly explained. One part of the service included a tub of sand in the middle of the floor. We were encouraged to reflect on a lonely, barren desert place, an analogy for seeking God's direction during difficult times in our lives. We were asked to come forward if we wanted, to run our hands through the sand and wait on the Lord, wait and listen to what He may say to us.

I was grabbing handfuls of sand, letting the grains fall through my fingers as I prayed. There were zip lock bags there, and we were asked to fill them with the sand and take it with us to remind us of the experience, of meeting God in a desert place.

I had a bit of sand on my fingers already, having let it slip through them when I decided to fill a bag to take with me. I began to reach for a fistful when I had a thought that was not my own, "Take only what you need." I didn't think I needed many grains of sand to remind me of the box or a desert, so the pinch that was already sitting on my fingers I sprinkled into the bag.

Then I came home and read the scripture about the manna, "This is the bread the Lord has given you to eat. The Lord has commanded, 'Each of you must gather what he needs' ... so the people of Israel did this, some people gathered much and some people gathered little ... each person gathered just as much as he needed" Exodus 16:15-18.

I believe this scripture and this encounter is God's way of reminding me to trust in Him and His provisions according to His will. I also believe I'm going to soon be in a situation where I have access to plenty, but should take only that which I need, lest the excess I bring into my life rots and stinks - as did the additional manna the Israelites gathered for themselves.

Pick Up The Phone - 2/19/06

Romans 10:20-21, "Then Isaiah is bold enough to say: 'I was found by those who were not asking me for help. I made myself known to people who were not looking for me.' But about Israel, God says, 'All day long I stood ready to accept people who disobey and are stubborn.'"

I love it when God does this! He's emphasizing how He's constantly talking directly to me through His word. I had no idea this scripture from Isaiah - the same one I was led to in my last devotion - was quoted in Romans. God led me to it when I wasn't even looking for it in another location in the Bible, confirming the message of the last devotion.

I am so humbled, on two levels. One: that the God of All, Lord of all Creation, chooses to talk to me through His word EVERY time I make the effort to listen to Him. He'll meet me there whenever I make time to come into His presence. And Two: That the same God, the All Powerful source of all things, actually says to us, "Here I am. Here I am," and seeks us out. We do not come to him unless He first calls us. He chooses us. John 15:19, "...As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world." and, 1 Peter 2:4, "As you come to Him, the living Stone -- rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to Him..." are just some of the examples of God choosing us, choosing to be with us!

God's always trying to reach us; our phone is just ringing all day long with our loving God on the other end of the line. He's always trying to get our attention and begin a relationship with us, if we just pick up the phone and talk with Him. He communicates in so many different ways if we just listen. In my case, I have to step away from the distractions of the world, into a figurative phone booth to make time for Him -- isolating myself in order to be able to hear what He has to say. And I always love the conversations we have when I make time for Him...

To The Muster Deck! - 2/2/06

I believe God gave me an analogy today for our lives. He's so cool!

My journal is covered with padded red nylon, sewn into squares on the front and back. It resembles a life vest. This is where I usually journal my devotions, and as I picked it up I thought to myself, "God is my life vest." But as soon as I had that thought, another thought came into my mind, "... but we're on the devil's cruise ship."

WHOAH! That is so true. If you've never been on a cruise, then it might be harder to understand that it is the epitome of American gluttony and indulgence. I'm not saying that cruises are all bad -- but they're set up much like living in this world. You can have pretty much whatever you want, whenever you want it, and as much of it as you want. There is always entertainment and food to be found amidst endless distractions as you sail toward the next destination.

But what if you were on such a cruise ship, and you knew the captain was the evil one himself -- steering everybody toward a lethal collision that would sink the ship and everybody on it? Or, maybe it has already hit something, and the crippled vessel is taking on water while everybody continues with their endless distractions. What if you were the only one who knew? Would you walk around with your life vest on, even if other people made fun of you? Would you try to hand them out to other people in an effort to save them knowing there are more than enough to go around? What of your family? Do you drag them from the decadence and plea with them to wear theirs even if it makes you look like a fool?

But then, it's more complicated than that because the captain is literally a diabolical maniac hellbent on killing everyone. Anybody who speaks the truth is targeted -- an attempt is made first to lure them with the pleasures and distractions of the cruise -- to neutralize their effectiveness, then an attempt to remove their life vest. If all else fails, they may be thrown overboard. Separated from everyone else, yet saved by the one thing they clung to from the beginning. Would you let that stop you?

So what are you going to do? Put on your life vest, or seek out something entertaining enough to distract you from having to think about the truth? Because I believe it really is "sink or swim time."

Mas Regalos - 1/28/06

Ephesians 4:11-12,14 "And Christ gave gifts to people - He made some to be Apostles, some to be prophets, some to go and tell the Good News, and some to have the work of caring for and teaching God's people. Christ gave those gifts to prepare God's holy people for the work of serving, to make the body of Christ stronger ... Then we will not be influenced by every new teaching we hear from people who are trying to fool us."

WOW! Four devotions in a row. Four. God has been telling me the same thing from different parts of the Bible every time I read, and this verse is just a profound emphasis of the one in 1 Corinthians from the other day. Except this one is in Ephesians. And it's worded the exact same and it was already highlighted in my Bible when I went through it. The exact same theme, I'm in awe of how God is speaking to me - so clearly and so available if I just take the time to listen. He's stressing that:

• God gave us gifts
• Those gifts prepare His people for His holy work, to serve
• God gave us gifts to strengthen the body of Christ (the church)
• And now from this passage, He's added that by serving God, strengthening the body, and practicing using the gifts He gave us, we will be strong and remain true to His way and His truth when the world attacks with its lies.