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Our Faithful God

Our Faithful God

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Have you ever been out and about on a chilly morning in the forest, on a mountain, at a campground, on a dock or boat, or even in your backyard … and been greeted by warm, bright sunshine?  Isn’t that wonderfully uplifting?

Have you ever found yourself shivering as you endure the bitter cold of the night or early morning when that first light of the sun arrives?  Or even better, when the sun’s rays first literally fall on you?  Isn’t that an incredibly comforting thing?  Not just physically, but psychologically!

Is it any wonder then that worship of the sun as a god was extremely common in ancient times? The practice spanned across numerous cultures, nations and races.  In fact, of all the things in creation, the sun was the most commonly and widely worshipped.  Even the ancients understood that this entire world is dependent upon the sun, both for light and for warmth – for life itself! – so it seemed natural to them to worship it. 

We know even more about the sun today.  For example, the sun’s gravity keeps the earth and other planets in their places in the solar system. Without the sun, the earth would be floating aimlessly and endlessly through space.

The sun provides the light and heat every living organism needs to exist.  Plants use the sun’s light to produce food for humans and animals through the process called photosynthesis. Furthermore, the sun’s heat is the reason the earth can support life by allowing liquid water to exist.  It is also this heat that brings about evaporation of water and the movement of air called wind which produces our different weather systems.

Bottom line: all of the world is dependent upon the sun for life

Not only does the sun provide light, warmth and sustenance for life, but the sun is incredibly reliable.  Every morning, there it is again; you can count on it.

The early peoples could not comprehend anything greater or more faithful than the sun.  Consequently, the sun became their god.

Sadly, they had lost sight of the God who made the sun and set it upon its work.  They became a fulfillment of Paul’s words, “They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator — who is forever praised.  Amen” (Romans 1:25).

Yet in this regard those early peoples were right: the sun and its faithfulness are a wonderful illustration of the faithfulness of its Creator … of our God!

Just as the sun appears every morning … so God is always with us. 

As the sun provides light every day … so God is always enlightening our hearts and minds. 

As the sun provides warmth every day … so God is always warming us with his love.

As the sun makes it possible for us to live here on earth … so God is the giver of our lives.

As the sun sustains us daily … so God (who gives us the sun!) is always sustaining our lives, both physically and spiritually. 

Here’s what the Holy Spirit inspired David to write about the sun:

“In the heavens God has pitched a tent for the sun.  It is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, like a champion rejoicing to run his course.  It rises at one end of the heavens and makes its circuit to the other; nothing is deprived of its warmth.” (Psalm 19:4b-6).

How wonderful!  Every day the sun “rises” again, doing its God-established thing. 

Our God is a like the sun … faithful and life-giving!  There are over 80 references in the Scriptures using the words “faithful” or “faithfulness” to refer to the Lord. 

Isaiah states that the Lord’s faithfulness is a “perfect faithfulness” (Is. 25:1).  David tells us that the Lord is “a compassionate and gracious God, abounding in love and faithfulness” (Ps. 86:15).  He also tells us repeatedly that God’s “love reaches to the heavens” and his “faithfulness reaches to the skies” (Ps. 57:10).

Another psalmist writes that God’s “faithfulness continues through all generations” (Ps. 119:90).  Yet another psalmist makes it clear that God’s faithfulness lasts even longer than that!  He writes … “the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever” (Ps. 117:2).

How wonderful!  But just as we tend to take the sun totally for granted, so we tend to take our God totally for granted too. 

Now think about this.  When was the last time we thanked the Lord for the rising of the sun – for its light and warmth?  We just expect the sunshine to be there every day, don’t we?

But then, when was the last time we thanked God for waking up this morning?  Or for having clothes and shoes to wear?  Or for having food to eat (and I don’t mean simply reciting an oft-repeated before-dinner prayer)?  When was the last time we thanked God for good health?  Or for having shelter to live in?  Or for having transportation?  Or for having people who love us?

Even more sobering: when was the last time we thanked God for our faith?  For the fact that his Holy Spirit lives in us?  For the fact that we have a heavenly home waiting for us?  Or that God himself took our place, suffered our torment and died our death so we could go to heaven one day?

These all come from God, after all.  They are all a result of the faithfulness of our God.

And yet we so easily and so commonly take it all for granted.  We simply expect to see God’s blessings … just like the rising of the sun every morning.

Thankfully, despite our lack of faithfulness to God … God is always and forever a faithful God to us.

Just as the sun shines faithfully every day, so God who made the sun is always faithful.  In fact, God is more faithful than the sun.

Let me take you back to a time when the sun actually did stop shining. 

“It was now about the sixth hour, and darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour, for the sun stopped shining.  … Jesus called out with a loud voice, ‘Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.’  When he had said this, he breathed his last” (Luke 23:44-46).

Jesus, the Son of God, was dying in agony because that was the only way we could ever have true forgiveness and experience salvation one day.  And while Jesus was hanging on the cross, the sun – the beacon of faithfulness, the source of worship around the world – actually stopped shining.

The sun showed itself to be less than trustworthy.  And at the same time, the true Son (S O N) was shining his brightest!

As Jesus was making complete atonement for our transgressions, he was showing God to be absolutely faithful, reliable and trustworthy.  He was showing God’s perfect, abounding, high-reaching and long-lasting faithfulness.  He was giving us life … both spiritual and eternal!

Those 3 hours while the sun did not shine, the Son (S O N) shone brightest.  At that time Jesus’ faithfulness was shining brighter than the sun ever did or ever will.

Thanks be to God that he is always faithful!  Far more faithful even than the sun.

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Overly Abundant Grace – A Story

Overly Abundant Grace – A Story

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In my many years as a pastor (and as a sinner), I have come to believe that guilt and shame over sin is one of Satan’s most powerful and effective weapons against God’s people.  Satan uses it to foster despair – despair that perhaps the Lord will stop loving and stop forgiving the sinner. 

In my conversations with the heartbroken, I have seen this scenario play out primarily in two ways: either someone is wracked with guilt over “horrible” mistakes made in the past, or they are tormented by repeatedly making the same mistakes in the present.  Sometimes both!

This story deals with the second scenario, though everything in it certainly applies to the first as well.  It’s a bit lengthy, but the topic is absolutely crucial.  May God use it to bring comfort, peace and joy to the grieving.

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Tristan was in a very bad place – mentally, emotionally and spiritually.  He was overwhelmed with guilt; shame engulfed him, sweeping through him in waves. 

He recognized that he was a sinner who sinned all the time in many different ways.  Unfortunately, this is the human condition – a result of the sinful nature residing in every person.  But that wasn’t what he agonized over, (though he certainly grieved over it).  No, it was trespassing … crossing God’s line between right and wrong … repeatedly in the same way that tore Tristan up.

“Again, and again, and again I make the same mistake; I sin the same sin!” his thoughts cried out.  “I know better.  I know it’s wrong.  I know God condemns it.  I know I shouldn’t do it.  But I do it anyway!  Again, and again, and again!”  He groaned out loud and shuddered in remorse. 

He sat at his dining room table, his head in his hands.  Heartfelt tears wet his hands, rolled down his wrists and dripped onto the tabletop.  It wasn’t the first time that sorrow over his sin spilled out of him; he was sure it wouldn’t be the last.  Especially since he kept falling into the same trap over and over again! 

Who was he kidding?  Often enough he wasn’t “falling into” the sin; it was an eager headfirst dive!

Tristan’s conscience tried him, judged him, found him guilty, and condemned him.  And Tristan didn’t even dare argue the verdict.

“How can God possibly forgive me … again?  How can I even go to him after so many falls?” he wondered.  The tears intensified as he shook his head in despair.  “Does he even want to hear from me anymore?  Am I even his child anymore?  Does he even care about me anymore?  When does he finally get fed up with me and toss me away?  I would have discarded me a long time ago!”

Sobbing wracked his body.  So much pain, and all self-induced!

He whispered out loud, his voice teaming with emotion, “O Lord, if you can somehow find a way … please, please, please forgive me one more time!  I know I have no right to ask, but it’s all I know to do.  I know Jesus died for me, but I’m afraid I’ve thrown it all away.  I’ve gone too far; I’ve sinned too many times!” 

Tristan dropped his head onto his folded arms resting on the surface of the table, his tears flowing freely.  “But Jesus is my only hope.  I have nothing else to cling to, and I’m terrified I’ve squandered him away with my foolishness.” 

A hollowness filled him; despair overriding every other thought and emotion.  His deep sorrow made him physically ill.  His mind locked onto his guilt, his heart ached, his chest constricted and his stomach churned.

“Hello, Tristan.”  Tristan lifted his head quickly; no one should be there with him!  His eyes fell on Jesus, standing before him and smiling warmly. 

How could this be?  Was it a dream?  A vision?  His mind couldn’t grasp what his eyes were seeing.  “It doesn’t matter how it is that you see me,” Jesus stated.  “It’s just important that you do.”

New tears streamed forth from Tristan’s eyes.  “O Lord, I’m not worthy to be in your presence!  I’m so sorry!  So sorry!  So very sorry!” he sobbed.  He felt that he should throw himself at Jesus’ feet, but he seemed unable to move.

Jesus nodded.  “Yes, I know.  You have sinned again and are torn apart with remorse.”  He paused, then continued gently.  “You do have a problem with this issue.  But it is not your greatest shortcoming.”

Tristan gasped.  Oh no!  He had a bigger issue?  In trembling voice, he faltered out the question, “What I keep doing is terrible, Lord!  But there is something worse?”  He was horror stricken, and his despair ramped up in intensity.

“All sin is horrible in my eyes, Tristan,” Jesus replied.  “And all sin brings at least some earthly ramifications.”  He smiled sadly.  “As you well know.”  Tristan nodded, almost imperceptibly.  “But some sins foster greater repercussions than others.  Potentially leading to eternal repercussions.  Such is the case with you.”

Tristan was terrified.  Was Jesus saying he had lost salvation?

“No, Tristan.  That is NOT what I am saying.  Only that if you continue to despair you could lose your hope and your salvation because you give up on me.  This is the risk if you continue in your more dangerous sin.”

After stating this, Jesus was silent.  He simply stared quietly at Tristan, waiting for the inevitable.  Finally, Tristan looked down, swallowed once, then twice.  He choked out the request in a weak voice. “What could possibly be worse?”  He didn’t dare look at Jesus.

“Your more dangerous sin is not believing my words,” came Jesus’ quiet but firm reply.  “And the ramifications of that are causing you major issues.”  The Savior let those statements sink in.

Tristan was dumbfounded.  His thoughts raced and his emotions swirled.  Finally, he gathered himself and said, “But I do believe your words!”

“Once again you prove that you do not,” Jesus stated.  “I, the Lord, just made a simple statement of fact … and you dismissed it.”  His voice didn’t carry anger, but rather a deep sadness.

Tristan gasped.  What had he just done?  And how was it that he had sinned in this way before?  He knew the Scriptures were inspired by God, and therefore living, active and absolutely true.  “I’m sorry, Lord!  I’m sorry!  But I don’t understand!”

“Yes, I know.  That is why I am here.  To help you understand, and to change your perspective.”

“Teach me what I need to learn, Lord!  Show me what I need to see!” Tristan begged.

Jesus smiled warmly again.  “I thought you’d never ask.”  He looked intensely at Tristan and said, “Blessed are the eyes that see what you will see!” Luke 10:23. 

Then Jesus waved his hand smoothly before him, and a large Bible appeared before Tristan.  It was open to Psalm 103, and three verses (8-10) lifted up off the page – large, glowing and easily discerned.   “Let’s review the basics.  What do these verses say?” 

Tristan read them.  “The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever; he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities.”  New tears began flowing.

“Do you doubt these words?” the Savior asked.

“No!”

“I’ll ask you again.  Do you doubt these words?”

Tristan was about to insist that he didn’t … when he realized with shock that he had and he did. 

“Are we beginning to see the problem?” Jesus queried.  The grief-stricken sinner slowly nodded, his eyes wide.

“Good!” Jesus stated.  “Here’s another one.”  The pages in the Bible rolled right to left and settled on another passage – Ephesians 1:7-8.  The words again lifted off the page.  “In Jesus we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us.”

Jesus spread his arms, his hands upright and open, and focused on Tristan.  “Are those words too difficult to understand?”

“No!”  Tristan paused.  “I mean, yes!”  He shook his head in exasperation.  “I mean no and yes!  Lord, my sins are so huge!  And so horrible!  And so often and easily repeated!  Doesn’t there come a time when a believer forfeits it all?”

Jesus placed his hands over his chest.  “And now we get to the heart of it all.  Listen carefully to what I say.”

“My apostle John wrote these words: ‘This is how we know that we belong to the truth and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence: If our hearts condemn us, we know that God is greater than our hearts.’” (1 John 3:19-20).  

The words stirred Tristan’s soul.  But Jesus wasn’t done.  “My apostle Paul summarized the same truth in this way: ‘Where sin increased, God’s grace increased all the more.’” (Romans 5:20).

“I’ve heard those words before, Lord, but …”  Tristan’s voice halted.

“But you weren’t sure they could be true.  At least for you.”  Tristan nodded sadly.  “Let me illustrate this for you,” Jesus replied. 

He waved his hand again, and the two of them seemed to be suspended over the tiny topmost shoot of a tree.  Jesus pointed at it.  “Your sin.”  The view slowly expanded and panned slowly downward until an entire massive tree became visible, hundreds and hundreds of feet tall.  Now Jesus motioned toward the tree.  “My grace, mercy and forgiveness.”

Tristan was stunned.  Jesus smiled, and then presented the next illustration. 

Now the two of them hovered over a vast body of water.  Jesus called Tristan’s attention to a small bubble floating on the surface.  “Your sin.”  The view expanded again to show the unending waves of a massive ocean, after which Jesus miraculously revealed the staggering depths of water below the tiny bubble.  Jesus simply said, “My grace.”

The view changed again.  This time Tristan’s gaze fell upon a miniscule pebble.  “Your sin,” said the Savior.  A short time later they had withdrawn to the point that they were looking upon the entire planet.  “My grace.”

Next, Tristan found himself looking down on himself.  “You and your sin.”  Rapidly, he shrank from view, as did the continent he was on, and soon the entire world.  In a matter of moments, the Lord showed him the entire solar system, then additional galaxies, and finally the entire cosmos.  “This is my grace.”

The Lord waved his hand once more, and an opening appeared in the stars.  Brilliant glory poured out from the cavity.  Tristan realized with awe that he was being given a glimpse into heaven. 

But it wasn’t only beams of brilliance that spilled from the opening.  There was also a cascade of thick, red liquid gushing out and cascading down toward the earth.  Tristan gasped.  It was Jesus’ blood! 

Once again the viewpoint altered; the focus again settled on Tristan … his head down on his table in profound grief.  The familiar words were repeated.  “You and your sin,” said Jesus.  And then the bright red blood of Jesus washed over him!  “My grace, mercy and forgiveness.  I assure you, it is more than sufficient for your guilt.”

“O Lord, it’s so wonderful!” Tristan exclaimed joyfully.  Then the exuberance began to slip away.  “But what about my repeated sin?”

“Which sin is that?” Jesus asked sincerely, and then stated, “I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more.” Isaiah 43:25.

Tristan’s mouth dropped open, and his eyes grew wide.  It was all so astonishing!  So amazing!  So incredible!  So wonderful!

“A few final comments,” Jesus continued.  “First, realize that I am not making light of your sin.  Sin is always detestable to me.  Rather, I am discrediting your shame.”  Jesus wrapped his arms around Tristan.  “You love me and belong to me through faith.  There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus! Romans 8:1. Where there is no condemnation in God’s eyes, there is no need for shame.”

“Secondly, in love and thankfulness – go and sin no more.” John 8:11. Jesus tightened his embrace.  “But if you do … and you are sinful, after all … come to me in confidence that my grace is overly abundant for you.”

“And finally, your name is Tristan, which means ‘Sorrowful.’  Your spiritual name from this time forward will be Jevin.  Jevin means ‘God is gracious.’  It also means ‘Joyful.’  Since you now recognize that your God is indeed gracious, you can truly be joyful.”

Tristan was overcome with emotion.  New sobs broke forth from his heart.  But they weren’t sobs of sorrow; rather, an expression of extreme joy.  “Thank you, Lord, for loving me … and forgiving me!  Thank you, Lord, for showing this to me!”

Jesus kissed him on the forehead, and then he was gone.  But the truths he had shared remained.  Which meant that Jevin now held an entirely different perspective on God’s overly abundant grace.  It was a truth he treasured, and a truth that actually aided him in living his life more fervently for the Lord.

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

Biblical Concepts of a Sinner/Sin
Versus
God’s Abundant Love and Forgiveness

 Ephesians 3:16-19 – A tiny branch on a massive tree

I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

Micah 7:18-19 – A tiny bubble in a massive ocean

Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy.  You will again have compassion on us; you will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea.

 Psalm 103:12 – A tiny pebble on the entire globe

As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.

Psalm 103:11 – A tiny person in the vast cosmos

For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him;

Colossians 1:19-23 – A sinful believer made holy through Jesus’ blood

For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in [Christ], and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of  your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation— if you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel.

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Psalm  103:1-14
Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name.  Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits—who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. The Lord works righteousness and justice for all the oppressed.

The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever; he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities.

 For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.  As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him; for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust.

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Enough

Enough

When it comes to earthly wealth, I have never been rich.  Not even close.  And it seems highly unlikely that I ever will be rich.

I’m OK with that.  The reason?  Because the Lord has made sure that I always have enough.

Furthermore, I’m quite confident that even though you may not have everything you want … and even though life may have been exceedingly difficult at times for you … still, you have always had enough too.

David wrote about this very thing:

“The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him; though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand.  I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread” (Psalm 37:23-25).

Yet the world teaches us to always want MORE.  Our sinful natures eagerly take up the theme – MORE is better.  MUCH MORE is best of all!

David’s son, Solomon, alludes to humans’ unending longing with these words, “The eye never has enough of seeing, nor the ear its fill of hearing” (Ecclesiastes 1:8).  He also states this is a “meaningless” exercise.  (Ecc. 1:2).

I find the Lord’s manner of providing food for the migrating tribes of Israel fascinating.  (And telling!)  You’ll recall that the Lord had miraculously delivered his people from slavery in Egypt, and as they were enroute to the Promised Land, they had to travel through a huge barren area. 

What you may not realize is that the nation almost certainly numbered between two and three million people!  (Exodus 12:37 tells us 600,000 men left Egypt.  Add in women and children, and the numbers grow exponentially.)

Garnering enough food for all those mouths would be a monumental challenge for humans.  But it wasn’t difficult for God.  He simply provided them with wafers called “manna” 6-days-a-week.  The Bible tells us, “it was white like coriander seed and tasted like wafers made with honey” (Exodus 16:31).

But where this gets really interesting is when you consider the special instructions the Lord gave to the people in regard to gathering the bread.  Each morning they were to gather what they needed for the day, but no more.  If they tried to keep extra for the next day, the manna would be foul and maggot-filled. 

The exception to the “only-as-much-as-you-need-for-the-day” rule was the morning before the Sabbath Day (Friday).  On Fridays, the people were to gather sufficient manna for two days.  Astonishingly, the manna kept just fine for the extra day over the Sabbath.

Moses provides another incredible insight:

“The Israelites did as they were told; some gathered much, some little. And when they measured it by the omer, the one who gathered much did not have too much, and the one who gathered little did not have too little. Everyone had gathered just as much as they needed” (Exodus 16:17-18).

None of this was coincidence!

The Lord was teaching the Israelites an incredibly important truth; he was teaching the people to trust him.  He would supply their needs.  Day-by-day he would bless them with food.  They would have enough.  With the Lord, they would always have enough!

And not just enough food, but enough of everything.  Enough guidance in their journeys.  Enough protection from all their dangers.  Enough provision for all of their needs.  Not necessarily a surplus, but enough.  Always enough. 

The Lord wasn’t only trying to teach the Israelites this truth.  But you and me as well!

He wants us convinced that our God will always provide for us – spiritually, physically, mentally and emotionally.  As Paul reminds us, “He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all — how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?” (Romans 8:32).

We don’t need MORE.  We just need what God gives us.  It will be enough.

And when we recognize this truth – when we embrace it – we will come to realize that when God is our supplier, we have more than enough!  In fact, we are actually rich beyond measure. 

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

1 Timothy 6:6-8
But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. 

Hebrews 13:5
… Be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”

Philippians 4:11-13
I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

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!

He Knows

He Knows

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

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

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.

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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!

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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.

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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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