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He Knows

He Knows

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It was a year-and-a-half in the making, and I still don’t have all the information I need.

I’ve been serving these mid-Michigan congregations as pastor all that time, and it took all that time to sorta-kinda figure out who is who, as well as who is connected to who … and how.  And I am well aware that I still don’t have a lot of it figured out.

Furthermore, it was clear when I first arrived that one of the top priorities for my ministry initially would be to try to figure out who was still connected to the congregations, and who was not.  There are plenty of reasons for disconnection.  Among other things, they include simply drifting into un-involvement for whatever reason, or getting involved in another congregation; moving to another part of the country, or being moved by God to heaven.

The goal has been to compile an accurate membership directory for the two congregations.  Sounds simple, right?  Ah, but it’s not as easy as it might seem.

In addition to the situations mentioned previously, there is also the factor of the local “snow-birds.”  In our area, a good number of our people abandon their summer homes – and the snow and frost that impacts the region – for warmer climes down south.  They joyfully return to this lovely area in the springtime, of course, but they are missing for a good portion of the calendar.  Just another situation that needs to be understood.

Furthermore, do you recognize how often people move these days?  Or how many are leaving behind their landlines for cell phones?

Couple all these issues with the woefully outdated membership directories I was given when I arrived here, and perhaps you begin to understand the dilemma.  It has taken all this time (18 months!) of information gathering to arrive at a reasonable facsimile of an accurate list!

And I am well aware that it’s still not wholly accurate!

This morning, after several days of crunching information and compiling the new directories to share with the congregations, it struck me.  It has taken me all this energy, effort and time to pull together directories of less than 200 people – and the Lord knew all the information all along!

And not only does the Lord know all the information for our congregations, but also for our cities, our county, our region, our state, our nation, our world!  He knows the numbers in our church body.  The numbers of total Christians – both in our country and across the continents – and the number of those who aren’t. 

He knows every address and every phone number.  He knows every single name of every single person, and he knows every single thing about every single one of them too!  As well as of all who lived in the past, and of all those who will live in the future.

God knows!

Most comforting of all, not only does the Lord know each of us and everything about us … (and still love us despite our significant flaws!) … BUT he also knows everything we are going through.  The pain we are enduring.  The hurts we bear.  The challenges we struggle with.  The fears we face.  The needs we have.  The dreams we hold.

He knows about them and he knows what to do about them.  He knows, he cares, and he provides. 

What a great God is our God!

“ Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out!  ‘Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?’ …  For from him and through him and for him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen.”  (Romans 11:33-34, 36).

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Isaiah 55:8-9
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord.  “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

Psalm 139:1-6
You have searched me, Lord, and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you, Lord, know it completely. You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.

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Guarded and Guided by the One Who Never Sleeps

Guarded and Guided by the One Who Never Sleeps

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I am not an early-morning person.  I have some family members who are, but that would never describe me.

I can wake up early, if need be.  Say for a fishing or hunting trip, a hike, a metal-detecting excursion, or some other outdoor adventure.  But normally I would not choose to crawl out of bed before a seven is registered on the clock.

Consequently, it is always eye-opening when I am awake early and out-and-about to see how many others are up before the crack of dawn, and clearly are routinely early risers … often by necessity.

I recall when my wife and I still lived in Washington state and needed to be up in Seattle for a follow-up surgery on her eye.  (It was her sixth – and thankfully so far, her final one!)  Check in at the hospital was at 6 a.m., so we were up and going at “0-dark-thirty” in Tacoma.

It’s remarkable how many people in a larger city are circulating in the wee hours of the morning!  On my caffeine run to a 24-hour convenience store before our commute, there was the clerk … AND a delivery truck driver … AND others getting their fixes before heading to work.  A police cruiser rolled by as I returned to my vehicle. 

Furthermore, the freeway was filled with folks flying north or south to their jobs. (Not as filled as it would be later at a more decent hour, but filled sufficiently nevertheless.)  The hospital was buzzing with activity as personnel carried out their various responsibilities. 

There’s a lot of people up early doing what they need to do!  Those of us who prefer to sleep a bit later into the morning sometimes fail to recognize the many folks who start their days … or end their nights as the case may be, while we are embracing our ZZZs.

But they all have to sleep sometime!

Sleep isn’t just a luxury; it’s a necessity.  The human body must sleep.  It doesn’t take long for lack of rest to severely impact a person’s well-being.  Just 24 hours without it can result in irritability, altered perception, memory deficits, impaired judgement, vision and hearing setbacks, decreased hand-eye coordination, an increased risk of accidents, greater muscle tension, and even tremors.

Add just another 12 hours to that, (36 hours without sleep), and one’s body is significantly affected.  Appetite, metabolism, temperature, mood, and stress level all take hits, creating issues with hormonal imbalances, decreased motivation, inflexible reasoning, decreased attention and risky decision-making. Sleep deprivation can make routine tasks like driving exponentially more dangerous. (www.healthline.com).

Which is why we all sleep.  Why we all HAVE TO sleep.  In fact, we humans actually spend a third of our lives sleeping!

Consequently, the concept of our God never sleeping is challenging for us to grasp. 

But he doesn’t!  The Lord never crawls under the heavenly covers and “crashes.”  He never sneaks in a “cat nap.”  He never accidentally nods off for a moment.  He never intentionally “shuts it down.”  He never even closes his “eyes!”  Never, ever!  We’re told in Job that God “views the ends of the earth and sees everything under the heavens” (Job 28:24).

Not only does our God never rest.  He never loses his concentration; his mood is never altered; his perceptions remain unphased; his perfect abilities continue unhindered. 

Furthermore, the Lord never ceases to be vigilantly watching over us and acting on our behalf!  God’s unwavering attention is riveted on his people; his loving heart, guiding hand, and providing and protecting arm are always engaged in the goings-on of our lives.  “The eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love, to deliver them …” (Psalm 33:18-19).

So while our Lord never sleeping is a challenging concept to grasp, it is at the same time tremendously comforting.  We are continuously guarded and guided by the Loving One who never sleeps.

The psalmist summarizes this truth beautifully!

I lift up my eyes to the mountains— where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip— he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.

The LORD watches over you — the LORD is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. The LORD will keep you from all harm — he will watch over your life; the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore” (Psalm 121).

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Angels Among Us

Angels Among Us

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Have you ever seen an angel?  I actually may have during several remarkable occurrences in my life, though I can’t say definitively. 

Have you ever seen an angel’s work?  I’m much more confident in saying “absolutely!” to that scenario.  The last time actually happened just a few days ago on our dock.

My wife and I knew that living on a lake would provide a wealth of entertainment opportunities in the spring through the fall.  Little did we realize that it pays out fun times even in the winter!

Especially for our grandchildren. 

On their post-Christmas visit, the grandsons found great pleasure in breaking the ice around the dock.  Recent warmer temps had weakened the surface ice and made it soft enough to smash through, but still thick enough to force one to work hard to do so.

This, of course, presented a delightful challenge!  With great delight, the boys did whatever damage they could do with lighter tools (plastic handles and wooden sticks).  However, they were ecstatic when adults took my sledge-hammer to it!

All this ice-breaking left at least 2 feet of unfrozen water all around the dock.  Rather thick ice remained outside the reach of the sledge.

The last morning the grandchildren were here, my oldest grandson – the cautious, careful one! – was trying to chip away at the ice perimeter.  And he slipped and pitched forward off the dock!

Here’s where things got strange.

He was leaning forward to reach the ice when he fell.  The laws of nature would dictate that he toppled headfirst off the dock … either unintentionally diving directly into the water, or worse, headfirst onto the edge of the ice.  If he was able to maintain a semblance of balance, perhaps he could go feet first into the water, or perhaps crash somewhat upright onto the edge of the ice, or … best case scenario … flop on his belly on the surface of the ice with perhaps just his feet going into the frigid water.

But he landed on the ice surface … on his bottom! … 3-4 feet from the dock! 

He immediately stood up and called out to his uncle, who reached over and lifted him to the dock.  A successful rescue and no harm done.  It seemed my 7 ½ year old grandson largely dismissed the incident; he went back to breaking ice completely unperturbed.

But the adults realized something rather incredible had just occurred.

The young man’s uncle who was on the dock with him … AND his mother and grandmother who just happened to be watching from the bay windows in the house … thought he had jumped!  (This boy would never have deliberately leaped!  It is not in his nature.)  But that’s how he appeared as he flew through the air onto the surface of the ice – like he had jumped.

This grandson is also honest to a fault.  When asked what happened, he said he slipped.  And he wouldn’t lie about something like that.  Or if he tried, it would be obvious to all that he was bending the truth.

How then did he go from leaning over the water, his weight distributed forward, and his feet slipping out from under him … to looking like he leaped and subsequently landing on his bottom 3 feet away? 

When asked if he felt anything as it was happening, he replied that he felt like he was pushed!

It was a fortuitous “push.”  It’s chilling to consider what might have happened had he not been “pushed” after he slipped.  Head injury from hitting the ice?  Broken bones?  Landing in the freezing water, the bitter cold making him gasp and swallow water?  His forward momentum possibly taking him under the ice?  Maybe even several of the above!

His uncle would have gotten to him quickly, wherever he might have ended up or what he might have suffered.  But things could have been much more traumatic. 

Yet they weren’t.

I’m sure some would argue that my grandson’s reflexes kicked in, adrenalin causing him to somehow leap at the last second, or that he simply took a fortunate fall.  But anyone who was present that day can find no other explanation than that there was some angelic intervention that morning. 

What an amazing experience – to be lovingly, gently pushed by an angel to a safe landing!  Perhaps at an older age, my grandson will better appreciate how the Lord miraculously protected him that day.

The rest of us are already in awe.  We never doubted it, but now we know that there are angels among us.

What marvelous creatures the angels are!  And how comforting it is to know they are near!  But as marvelous as they are, they are just another one of God’s incredible creations, created to serve God and God’s people.  They are yet another way our Lord demonstrates his providence and protection to you and me.  And if the angels are so awesome, how awesome must our God be?

For another personal example of God’s incredible intervention on this blog, check out this post: “Dead Man Walking”

For more posts on the angels, you might find these stories interesting: “An Invisible Reality”  and  “Before They Call”.

Best of all, read the Bible passages below that give us insight into those magnificent beings and how the Lord uses them to protect you and me.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Hebrews 1:14
Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?

Psalm 103:20
Praise the Lord, you his angels, you mighty ones who do his bidding, who obey his word.

Psalm 91:9-12, 14-15
If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,” and you make the Most High your dwelling, no harm will overtake you, no disaster will come near your tent.  For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone. …

“Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him.

How to Interact on This Blog

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A Mountain of a God!

A Mountain of a God!

Is there anything quite as visually impressive as a mountain? Rising up from the land, jutting high into the sky and dominating the horizon, mountains can take your breath away with their majesty.

And is there anything else in the world that seems as immovable as a mountain?  Is there anything as unchangeable as that monstrous piece of solid stone?  Anything as eternal as that rock-hard, in-your-face, unable-to-be ignored piece of granite?  Anything as invincible as that unbending, unyielding, undeniably solid wall of rock?

In reality the mountains can and do change.  The rock on the mountains is slowly eroding.  Glaciers, ice and snow impact the heights.  Landslides happen.  Volcanic mountains can blow their tops.  Humans can scar and change the mountain face.

Yet, I submit that there is nothing else on earth that seems as reliable as a mountain. There is nothing else in the world that seems as immovable, unchangeable, eternal, or invincible as a mountain

Consequently, the mountains are a magnificent picture of God’s power and protection.  The Lord truly IS immovable, unchangeable, eternal, and invincible … just like a mountain seems to be.

That’s exactly how David describes the Lord.  “Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him.  Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.  My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge.  Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge” (Psalm 62:5-8).

Fitting words as we wrap up a contentious election and embark upon a different administration.  Not to mention, as we anxiously observe world events!

I am confident that every one of us will acknowledge that it is God alone who is “my rock, my fortress, my refuge, my salvation, my rest,” and “my hope.”  We agree with those statements verbally and mentally, and yet all too often that’s not how we live our lives.  We are constantly tempted to look elsewhere for our joy and security.

Whenever we are leaning on the things of this world to support us, we have moved our life’s foundation from the Mountain that is God to shifting sand that is most definitely not.

As David states so clearly in Psalm 62, it is God alone who can fill all our needs.  He is our “go-to God” for everything!  And indeed, he carries quite a resume’.  Rock!  Fortress!  Refuge!  Plus, he’s our salvation, rest, and hope as well!  Sounds like exactly what we need (Who we need!) as we roll forward in history.

The Bible actually contains about 50 references to God as the Rock.  In other words, it’s a picture that the Lord wants his people to remember and embrace.  Clearly, it’s a picture that is intended to bring God’s people comfort.  And indeed it does!

It’s important to note that many of the Bible’s 50 references to God as the Rock imply that believers are grounded in that Rock.  Half a dozen other times the Bible stresses specifically the importance of being on the Rock.  In other words, not only is there no alternate for the Rock that is the Lord, but there is also no substitute for being on that Rock. 

In fact, it’s crucial that we are not only ON the Rock, but IN the Rock!  A person can build a house on top of the largest rock on earth, but if that house has no connection to the rock, it is destined to collapse.  Rather, a house built on a rock has to be anchored in that rock.  And when it is, there is nothing that can shake it.

So it is with us.  The Lord makes it clear that he is our Rock upon which we find our stability, strength, safety, help and hope.  But the only way we will reap the benefits of the Rock is if our spiritual roots are sunk down deep into him.  And when our foundation is the Lord and his Word then, as David writes, we “will not be shaken.”

As world events, (and our lives!), roll on, there certainly is no shortage of uncertainty and instability.  All the more reason to be centered on the unchangeable, eternal, invincible, immovable Rock that is our God!

Is there anything quite like a mountain?  I don’t think so.  It’s a picture of stability and power.  And that is exactly what our God is.  He is the mighty rock, the mountain that cannot be shaken.  What an excellent place to be anchored now, and always!

How to Interact on This Blog

To Comment – Please share your thoughts!  (Commenting is the fun part!)  To do so, click on the “Comments” tag under the title and start typing.  I, and many others, would love to benefit from your insights!

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Dead Man Walking

Dead Man Walking

No, this isn’t a belated Halloween post.  It’s actually about how I was almost killed earlier this week.

It’s not the first time I’ve almost been killed.  In fact, the truth of the matter is that I should be dead multiple times over.  Usually my near death experiences resulted from taking foolish chances and making foolish decisions when I was much younger and convinced I was invincible.

Sometimes though the unthinkable nearly came about through simple circumstances.  Being in the wrong place at the wrong time.  Or at least seemingly so from a human point of view.

It’s not hyperbole to state that I should have been killed a number of times; it’s a simple fact.  Which is why I refer to myself as a “dead man walking.”  I should be dead, but I’m still walking.  And the only reason I am is because the Lord intervened every time.

The latest incident happened earlier this week in my father’s woods.

Now there is some risk inherent to that woodlot.  Like other stands of trees around the Midwest, the once-abundant ash trees that filled it have been devastated by the emerald ash borer, an invasive beetle from Eastern Asia.  Left in the beetles’ wake are the ash tree carcasses and scattered “widow-makers” – fallen trees hung up in the branches of other trees.  On a particularly windy day last deer season, I heard an entire tree collapse and crash to the woods floor – which was a bit unnerving, even if fairly distant from me.

Nevertheless, I love those woods and love being in them.  I don’t feel threatened there, though I make a point to always be aware of where I am and what is around me … especially on windy days.  I deer hunt there, and thoroughly enjoy clearing trails and prepping my blinds in advance of another season.

I was busying myself in those woods this past Monday when I brushed past a 10-foot-tall tree trunk, broken off at the top.  (When I say “brushed,” I don’t mean banged or bumped; I mean barely touched.)

Initially I didn’t hear anything, see anything or sense anything; the dead tree after all was now behind me.  The next instant the entire trunk toppled down beside me with an explosive THWUMP!  It collapsed so close to me that it brushed my arm on the way down!

I jumped in astonishment, wondering what had happened.  Then, as the reality dawned on me, I sent up a stunned prayer of thanks to the Lord.  I never would have known what hit me.

Afterwards, I inspected the log.  It was over a foot in diameter and quite solid.  (See the picture above.)  It had simply rotted off at ground level.  If it would have fallen on me, it would have leveled me to the ground.

Perhaps I wouldn’t have died.  But I very well might have.  At the least, I know it is very likely that I would have sustained significant injury.  (I have thanked God repeatedly that I didn’t have to find out any of those specifics!)

But I walked away unscathed – a dead man walking yet again – because the Lord protected me one more time.

I know of multiple times I should have “bought it.”  I also know there are many multiples more of which I am completely oblivious.  I’m convinced that when the Lord brings us to heaven and we know all (1 Cor. 13:12), we will be absolutely astounded at how often and even radically God intervened in our lives and kept harm away.

David had it right when he wrote, “But you, Lord, are a shield around me …” (Psalm 3:3).

No harm reaches you or me when the Lord is shielding us!  Embrace that concept; it is profound!  Profoundly significant and profoundly comforting.  And what does reach us is allowed by God for his own all-knowing and loving reasons (Romans 8:28).  Also profound!

When God recognizes it is the right time, he will call us home to him in heaven.  And perhaps it will be through a tragic incident.  But it won’t happen a second sooner or in a different manner than he intends; we are shielded.

Until then, I will continue to be a dead man walking.  And so will you.

Consequently, this dead man walking will dance through his life in constant praise of the One who graciously extends my days.  I invite you to join me in that joyful dance, for God graciously extends your days too!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Psalm 138:7
Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life. … With your right hand you save me.

Psalm 18:1-2
I love you, Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.

Deuteronomy 31:8
The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”

Psalm 46:1-3, 7
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. … The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.

Psalm 121
I lift up my eyes to the mountains — where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip — he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord watches over you — the Lord is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all harm — he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.

How to Interact on This Blog

To Comment – Please share your thoughts!  (Commenting is the fun part!)  To do so, click on the “Comments” tag under the title and start typing.  I, and many others, would love to benefit from your insights!

To Subscribe – Go to the “Follow This Blog Via Email” column.  If you don’t immediately see that box, click on the “Comments” tag under the title, and scroll to the very bottom.  You should find it there.  OR simply comment you want to follow and I can add you!

Grateful for the King

Grateful for the King

How are you feeling about the upcoming presidential election? 

As I write this, we’re a little over a week away from the big day.  Undoubtedly you are as weary of seeing and hearing the campaign ads as I am.  It gets to the point where one just wants the whole thing to be over already.

But perhaps that’s where the churning of the innards and the tightening of the chest kick in.  Who will be the next president of the United States, and what will that mean for our great nation? 

We wonder, “What if my person isn’t the one … then what will happen?”  And maybe there’s a fair amount of concern even if our choice IS the one standing in the end?

And it’s not only fear over who wins (or doesn’t)!  Couple the anxiety over the final result of the election with the concern over the reaction to that result.  What might follow on the heels of the formalities?  Rioting might not be out of the question.

There’s plenty of opportunity for anxiety.  Our country is divided, and drastically so.  Not only in regard to parties, politics, policies and social positioning, but on spirituality and basic morality. The sad truth is that most of our nation does not know the true God or care about his word or will. 

This, of course, impacts the election.  But perhaps the greater concern is how it is impacting our nation on an ongoing basis. 

All of which fuels the angst as November 5th approaches.  Who will win?  And will that person be a “win” for our country?

None of us knows.  None of us can.  There are simply too many variables in the equation.

But this is what we as Christians DO know.  The true ruler and leader … not only of our country, but of our world … is already in place. 

He was never elected; he doesn’t need to be.  He holds his position by virtue of his very essence.  The “I Am Who I Am” is unequaled in status and authority.  His power is unmatched; his wisdom unparalleled.  His reign stretches from eternity to eternity, and his position is unassailable.  He will never be dethroned though throngs of rebels reject and resist him.

Hallelujah to King Jesus!

From his throne in heaven, surrounded by countless angels, the glory-bedazzled King reminds us, “I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me. … I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please’” (Isaiah 46:9-10).

Thankfully, his purposes are always, purely and totally driven by his mercy, his love and his compassion.  (Psalm 51:1-2).  If you doubt this even a little, consider his suffering and death on a bloody cross to save us.

Consequently, our Lord leads perfectly, provides completely, protects abundantly, battles invincibly, guides and directs impeccably, and controls wonderfully.  Not just for us, his children, but for our nation and even our world.  His loving plans will persist; they (and he!) will not be undone.

What a King!

Frankly, I have some grave concerns about both presidential candidates.  I’m not sure I trust either one of them as my country’s leader. 

But thankfully, I have a higher Leader, and I DO trust the King!  He is in complete control.  He always has been, he is now, and he always will be. 

Which means I can relax regarding even this highly contested and incredibly significant presidential election.  No matter who is elected, my King still reigns above all! 

Thanks be to God!  Praise be to the uncontested, unequaled, unconquerable King – the Lord Jesus Christ!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Deuteronomy 10:14&17
To the Lord your God belong the heavens, even the highest heavens, the earth and everything in it. … For the Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality and accepts no bribes. 

Philippians 2:6-11
Christ Jesus … being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.  And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death — even death on a cross!

Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name,

that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

1 Timothy 6:14-16
… until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, which God will bring about in his own time —God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To him be honor and might forever.  Amen.

Revelation 1:4-8
John, To the seven churches in the province of Asia:

Grace and peace to you from him who is, and who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits before his throne, and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth.  To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father — to him be glory and power for ever and ever!  Amen.

“Look, he is coming with the clouds,” and “every eye will see him, even those who pierced him”; and all peoples on earth “will mourn because of him.”  So shall it be!  Amen.  “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.”

Revelation 17:14
They will wage war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will triumph over them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings — and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers.

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Never-Failing Love

Never-Failing Love

I knew it was somewhere around here.  I just couldn’t remember where.

In my defense, a LOT has happened since our honeymoon.  My twelve-month vicar (intern) year, my final year at the Seminary, at least six moves (two across the country – one westward and one eastward!) and six different homes, the birth of six children and one miscarriage, and 34 years of pastoral ministry.

I certainly remembered many of the wonderful things from that relaxing week following our wedding ceremony in my wife’s home church in Benton Harbor, Michigan.  I had booked a five-night stay in a cabin on an inland lake in north-central Michigan.  I remember being able to look out on the water from our cabin and thinking how very nice that was to be there with my new wife.  Additional memories included rowing the boat out on the lake and the two of us catching a few panfish, a campfire on the beach, watching the Detroit Pistons playoff games in a local bar (there was no TV in the cabin), and eating at a nearby Ponderosa Steakhouse several times.  (I enjoyed the steak; my new wife delighted in the all-you-can-eat ice cream bar.)

After our stay on the smaller lake, we drove West to Ludington and visited the very large Lake Michigan.  There we hiked miles down the sandy beach to the Big Sable Point Lighthouse, visited the Pere Marquette Shrine and the local marina, and walked through the local shops.  (I purchased a duck-handled letter opener that has been on my office desk ever since.)

In short, I could recollect many things from that special week, but I couldn’t remember where exactly our honeymoon cabin had been.

Since we now live in central Michigan, I suggested to my wife that we utilize her Labor Day off and revisit Ludington, where we had gone following our cabin stay 36 years ago.  During the course of that conversation, I mentioned that the cabin we had honeymooned at was also somewhere in this area; I just couldn’t remember where and I wish I did.  This led my wife to retrieve our wedding memory book that she had compiled all those years ago.

Here’s where things got extremely interesting.

It turns out that the cabin we rented was on Crooked Lake in Lake, Michigan (not the Great Lake, but the unincorporated township settled firmly on solid ground).  Lake happens to be about 15 miles from where we currently live.  (A number of members of one of the congregations I serve actually live in Lake.)  And that Ponderosa where we ate several meals?  That was in Clare – a mile away from our new home!  It also happens to be where we ate one of our first meals upon newly arriving in town a little over a year ago.

My wife and I marveled at how we had come full circle … and completely unbeknownst to us.  As we began our marriage in central Michigan – just the two of us, so we enter our later years of marriage in central Michigan – our children on their own and just the two of us again.  And now we’re not just visiting a lake, but living on one!  Every day I look out on the water and often reflect upon how nice it is to be here with my wife of 36 years.

How faithful and good is our God!  He loves us in the beginning; he loves us throughout our lives, and he’ll still be loving us and blessing at the end.  And because of his love expressed in Jesus and Jesus’ all-encompassing atonement, there is no “end” to his blessings!  Only an eternity to bask in his love in his very presence in heaven. 

‘“Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,’ says the Lord, who has compassion on you” (Isaiah 54:10)

It was an enjoyable Labor Day for my wife and me; a trip down memory lane.  We drove through Lake on the way to Ludington.  We walked the beach to the lighthouse again.  We bought a few new souvenirs.  And we reflected on how amazing God’s love is … ever present and always guiding.  Sometimes all the way back to where things started.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Psalm 136:selected
1 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.
His love endures forever.
2 Give thanks to the God of gods.
His love endures forever.
3 Give thanks to the Lord of lords:
His love endures forever.
4 to him who alone does great wonders,
His love endures forever.
5 who by his understanding made the heavens,
His love endures forever.
6 who spread out the earth upon the waters,
His love endures forever.
7 who made the great lights—
His love endures forever.
8 the sun to govern the day,
His love endures forever.
9 the moon and stars to govern the night;
His love endures forever.

23 He remembered us in our low estate
His love endures forever.
24 and freed us from our enemies.
His love endures forever.
25 He gives food to every creature.
His love endures forever.
26 Give thanks to the God of heaven.
His love endures forever.

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Power Outages Not Possible

Power Outages Not Possible

My wife and I have experienced power outages before, but seldom and they were brief.  A few hours at most. 

So being without electrical power for 27 hours earlier this week was a new experience for us.  The fierce storms that knocked our power out also knocked out the power of almost half of our county, as well as approximately 330,000 customers across the state.

If you happen to have had the misfortune of losing your electrical power for an extended time … whether this week, or at some other point in your life … then you know firsthand the inconveniences that come along with that.  We take for granted that we are plugged in and powered up – until suddenly we aren’t.

As far as danger, my wife and I weren’t really in any.  It’s August in Michigan, so temps were warm.  And we have all the outdoor gear we need to endure even a significantly extended outage, if forced to do so.  But that doesn’t mean it was pleasant or even easy.

If you have never been without power, you’ve probably never considered how many of your daily activities rely upon electricity.  You don’t realize how often you automatically flip on light switches when entering a room, or how accustomed you are to having instant light at the flip of your fingertips.  You don’t recognize the luxury of clicking on your television set, of working and playing on your computer, or of doing so with the comfort that air conditioning or even just fans can provide!  Or worse, if in the winter, the warmth the furnace pumps out!

If you have never been without power at night, you’ve never realized how many little lights there are scattered around your house.  The modem.  The digital clocks on the stove and microwave.  The power indicators on various appliances or miscellaneous conveniences.  And you’ve never experienced how very dark your house (and your neighborhood) becomes without power.  Everything looks different by battery powered, hand-held light.

Thankfully, we have our phones to provide information, communication and distraction.  But wait!  Eventually they have to be recharged  – a difficult task if charge (power) is not available!

And I haven’t even mentioned the key role power plays in regard to food storage.

As the length of the outage continued, it seemed clear it would stretch past the amount of time it was safe to eat food stored in the refrigerator.  (The time frame is 4 hours, if you’re curious.)  As we approached the safety limit, there was a mad scramble to move what we could to the church refrigerator, which fortunately was still running.  (Of course, it just so happened that we had a bounty of wonderful leftovers.  We had to discard them all.)  Later, I made yet another trip to transfer the food from our smaller freezer in our fridge to church.

A day later, I was making preparations to transition the food from our large freezer in the garage to the church as well.  (Food in a full and unopened freezer can last about two days; in a half-full freezer just one.)  Thankfully, the power was restored before needing to take that step.

How significant (and typically overlooked) is the blessing of electricity!  What a powerful impact losing power makes in our lives!

Which caused me to reflect upon how wonderful it is that God’s power in our lives is never interrupted.

And not only is God’s power never interrupted, it’s never-ending!  Boundless!  The Lord describes himself to Abraham in this way: “I am God Almighty” (Genesis 17:1).  King Jehoshaphat praised God by stating that “power and might are in your hand, and no one can withstand you,” and Daniel rejoiced that “[all] wisdom and [all] power are his” (Daniel 2:19). 

The Apostle Paul was inspired to describe that power as “eternal” (Romans 1:20).  In other words, there are no power outages in our God.

But God’s almighty and unending power is not just some abstract or esoteric attribute demonstrated only in wide-ranging ways (such as creation) and unapplicable to you and me.  It’s a power shown to each of us personally and continually through his loving provision and protection. (Matthew 6:25-34).

It’s also and more importantly a power that impacts us spiritually.  Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior, “as to his earthly life was a descendant of David, and through the Spirit of holiness was appointed the Son of God in power by his resurrection from the dead” (Romans 1:3-4).  Or to say it another way, Jesus’ authenticity and substitutionary victory over the penalty of our sin were proven when he, in power, rose from the dead.

Furthermore, our powerful God gave us his powerful gospel which has changed our hearts, our lives, and our destiny “because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes” (Romans 1:16).

The electric company can’t and won’t keep us constantly in power.  Thankfully, we have a Power Source in whom power outages are not possible.

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power” (Ephesians 6:10).

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Holding My Hand

Holding My Hand

I’m convinced that hands were meant to be held.  Consider how wonderfully two hands fit together, and how wonderful another’s hand in yours feels.

Generally, when a hand is held, it is held with good intention, bringing special blessings.  Sweethearts hold each other’s hands because they want to maintain contact.  Fathers and mothers hold their children’s hands when in a crowded or dangerous place, or when they want to lead their young ones somewhere.  Loved ones hold the hands of those they love when those they love are hurting.  Teammates clasp hands together in a power grip when a good play is made or a game is won.  We even shake hands upon the conclusion of an agreement, or when greeting or leaving people, both of those we know well and strangers.

Holding hands in one way or another is so common that we rarely consider how special it can be.

But it is special.  And especially for those like me whose “love language” is touch.

This is not lost on the Lord.  In his holy Word he gives us multiple examples of hand-holding.  And not just routine human-to-human hand-holding.  But God himself holding the hands of his beloved people.

Before we dive into that concept, it’s important that we establish another hand-related issue.  Illustrations of the “Lord’s hand” permeate the words of Scripture.  There are literally hundreds and hundreds of examples where “the hand of the Lord” is mentioned. 

It is a hand of limitless power.  The Lord declares, “My own hand laid the foundations of the earth, and my right hand spread out the heavens; when I summon them, they all stand up together” (Isaiah 48:13).

It’s a hand that brings destruction to the enemies of God and God’s people, (Jeremiah 21:5), and it is a hand that brings profound blessings to God’s faithful. (Psalm 144:7).

Best of all, God’s hand is a hand that brought about forgiveness (Isaiah 40:1-2) and salvation.  “Sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done marvelous things; his right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him” (Psalm 98:1).

Perhaps a sterling summary of this repeated illustration of “God’s hands” is contained in this marvelous psalm of praise:

“The LORD is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation. Shouts of joy and victory resound in the tents of the righteous: ‘The LORD’s right hand has done mighty things! The LORD’s right hand is lifted high; the LORD’s right hand has done mighty things!’” (Psalm 118:14-16).

But the Bible goes beyond general references to God’s hand.  The Lord makes it much more personal in a number of passages.

The Lord refers to the deliverance he brought to his people when he led them out of Egypt by the hand (Jeremiah 31:32).  It’s a deliverance he still brings to his people. 

In a similar vein, Asaph the psalmist writes about the guidance God gives us by holding our hand, both through this life and ultimately into the life to come! “You hold me by my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory.” (Psalm 73:23-24)

Isaiah shows us the Lord holding our hand to comfort us in our fears.  “For I am the LORD your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you” (Isaiah 41:13).  We need not be afraid because God’s strong hand is one that supports us, no matter the circumstances.  “I cling to you; your right hand upholds me” (Psalm 63:8).

And over-and-over-again, Jesus showed his love for people during his ministry by touching them or taking their hand.  The Savior actually touched an “unclean” leper (which nobody at that time did!) and cleansed him of his disease. (Mk. 1:40-42).  He took Peter’s mother-in-law by the hand, healed her of a fever, and helped her up to her feet. (Mk. 1:30-31).  He held a blind man’s hand in Bethsaida and led him outside the city to have a little privacy as he restored his sight. (Mk. 8:22-25).  He enfolded the hand of Jairus’ dead daughter and raised her back to life. (Mk. 5:38-42).

What incredibly comforting examples of the Lord Jesus actually holding people’s hands!  What a picture for us to treasure, for the Lord still holds our hands as we stumble our way through life. 

And then there’s this stunning revelation from our Savior: “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand” (John 10:27-28).

Thank you, Lord, for holding my hand!  And thank you, Lord, for holding me in your hand, and never letting go!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Isaiah 41:9-10, 13-14
I took you from the ends of the earth, from its farthest corners I called you. I said, ‘You are my servant’; I have chosen you and have not rejected you. So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. … For I am the LORD your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you. Do not be afraid … do not fear, for I myself will help you,” declares the LORD, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel.”

Psalm 98:1-6
Sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done marvelous things; his right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him. The LORD has made his salvation known and revealed his righteousness to the nations. He has remembered his love and his faithfulness to Israel; all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.

Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth, burst into jubilant song with music; make music to the LORD with the harp, with the harp and the sound of singing, with trumpets and the blast of the ram’s horn — shout for joy before the LORD, the King.

Psalm 73:23-26
Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory. Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

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Our Unchanging, All-Sufficient, Always-Providing God

Our Unchanging, All-Sufficient, Always-Providing God

It’s a bit disconcerting, actually.  But it doesn’t matter how we feel about it, or how the simple truth can amp up our anxiety.  None of that alters a thing.

This one principle always remains and never changes: everything is always changing.  And it’s typically not changing for the better. 

There’s even a scientific law that describes this process!  According to the second law of thermodynamics, “systems” naturally change from order to disorder.  The fancy, shmancy term for this is “entropy.” 

There’s no shortage of examples of the second law of thermodynamics.  Leave a building or a yard untended over time and observe what happens.  A brand-new vehicle doesn’t improve in performance or appreciate in value through the years.  Even our bodies and minds fade over time.  As many will confirm, make it past middle-age and “it’s all downhill from there.”

I’m not trying to be negative or provide anyone with a “downer” today.  I’m simply stating the reality that everything in this world is always changing.  Everything in our lives is always changing!

Usually the changes are minimal or even unnoticeable, yet change is still occurring.  Sometimes though the changes may be sweeping. 

Now it’s certainly true that not all change is bad.  Some changes can bring profound blessings.  And we know that our God is always working “all things for the good” of his children (Rom. 8:28).  However, often enough entropy rears its nasty head and the changes occurring aren’t so good.  And even the positive changes are typically still stressful.

Like everyone else, I have certainly gone through many changes in my life through the years … some of them significant.  Confirmation.  Starting at new schools away from home, and ultimately graduating from them (3 times!).  The death of loved ones.  Marriage.  The birth of our children.  Health issues.  Changes galore!

But as I write this, I stand (well, sit actually) between two of the most significant life-altering events in my life-story.  These changes precipitated other changes, all rolling together into some of the most epic and stressful periods of my entire life.

On August 5, 1990, I was ordained and installed as pastor in a congregation in Tacoma, Washington.  This necessitated a move across the continent.  It also meant that I was no longer anticipating being a minister one day; I now WAS one for real!

Then, almost exactly 33 years later, on July 9, 2023, I was installed as the new pastor for two congregations in central Michigan.  Which necessitated a move back across the continent!  (But with a LOT more stuff this time around!)  Not to mention selling a house and buying a house wrapped into the mix.

There are a multitude of lists suggesting the most stressful things in life, and there is a fair amount of variety on those lists.  Nevertheless, selling and buying a house, financial uncertainty, moving, and starting a new job make most of the “most-stressful” lists, and usually rank quite highly on them.  My wife and I checked them all off in two majestic life changes!

At those flashpoints of our lives, almost everything in our lives changed.  Almost everything!  And almost completely!  Looking back on how our lives were altered in both of those situations leads me to stunned amazement. 

However, reflecting on how the Lord worked everything out along the way leads me to absolute awe.

I can’t fathom how he managed it – other than that he is a great God, of course! – but both times the Lord provided for us wonderfully and completely.  Our heads were spinning, (still are to some degree), but God had (and has) everything under complete control.  There are still a few pieces that need to fall into place currently, but there is no doubt that our God will fit those pieces in at right time.  He always has; he will again.

And that’s the most wonderful truth for you and me!  Even when everything in our little world seems to be changing, and even changing dramatically … our Lord never does!

He is always … constantly and unchangingly … almighty, all-knowing, ever-present, eternal, and good.  He is forever faithful.  He is continually loving, merciful and compassionate.  He is all-sufficient to us in every situation; always providing for our every need.  And thankfully, this will never, ever change!

“The Father … who does not change like shifting shadows” (Jms. 1:17), and “Jesus Christ [who] is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Heb. 13:8), personally assure us that the Triune God is unaffected by entropy!  “I the Lord do not change” (Malachi 3:6).

There is immense joy and profound peace that comes from recognizing that our God is unchanging … AND all-sufficient … AND always-providing.  Because in this ever-changing world, it is wonderful to have an Eternal Rock and Mighty Fortress who never does.

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