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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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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.

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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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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Abounding in Thanksgiving

Abounding in Thanksgiving

My wife and I are getting away for a few days, (something for which I’m very thankful!), so here’s this week’s post … a little early!

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I’m embarrassed to admit it, but I definitely don’t thank God enough for the blessings he has showered into my life.  Perhaps you can relate, and can sidle next to me on my bench of shame?

I am so very, very blessed by God!  And you are too!

It would be completely appropriate for me (and you) to be engrossed in an ongoing prayer of thanksgiving.  But … that hasn’t been my custom.

The problems, the challenges, the obligations and responsibilities I hold, and the hassles, frustrations and busyness of life keep me distracted – and keep the words of thanks silenced in both my mind and mouth.  Satan and my sinful, selfish flesh strive (effectively!) to keep me more focused on the negatives than the positives – which, of course, doesn’t encourage thanksgiving.

But thankfully, there are moments when thankfulness bursts from my heart; occasions when profound gratefulness overwhelms all the other distractions.

Like when I reflect yet again on the Lord’s love for me … a love that moved Jesus to step down to earth, not to be acclaimed by earth’s residents, but to be rejected by them.  To be crucified by them for them – for you, for me! 

 And when I remember that though Jesus died, he didn’t stay dead.  He rose off the cold, hard burial shelf, exited his tomb and ascended back to his heavenly home to prepare a place there for you and me.

Yet, his blessings aren’t only future blessings to be experienced someday when we transition from this world to the next.  His love impacts us every day with his abiding presence, guidance, provision, protection and peace.

These spiritual truths move me to abounding thanksgiving!

As does a difficult, even impossible, situation resolved solely through God’s intervention.  Or a close call where it was clearly God’s strong hand that kept me from being hurt (or worse!).  Likewise, when someone dear to me was miraculously spared. These definitely elicit thanksgiving to a gracious God!

But day-to-day activities can sometimes prompt the same response.  Nature especially has this effect on me.  A hike in God’s creation, a spectacular view spread out before me, a glorious sunset, experiencing the woods waking up on a deer stand, or the lake easing into night on our dock – these elicit thanksgiving too.

Sometimes it’s just “normal” events.  My latest experience of this was when our entire family was together at our new “house on the lake,” as we have come to call it.  As I looked around me, seeing precious family members … as I listened to loved ones’ voices all around me … as we interacted in conversation and activities … I was overwhelmed with thanksgiving over and over and over again.  How good is our God!

There are definitely circumstances that naturally pull thankfulness from our souls.  But I want thankfulness to be a natural part of my everyday existence! 

Even when something goes wrong.  Even when the car breaks down, or the funds are falling low, or the stresses are mounting, or the body is struggling or failing.  Because even then our God is good!  Our God is always good!  And his love and faithfulness to us never ever ends.

As I consider this, it seems to me that focusing on the word “always” might be helpful.  The Lord is always faithful, so we can be always thankful.

In fact, sometimes God’s greatest blessings come through our greatest hardships.  It’s difficult for us to see it that way.  Especially in the midst of those challenging moments.  But it’s true nonetheless.

When we recognize this wonderful truth even in the valleys … when we trust our good and gracious God even in the storms … then we are “not anxious about anything,” but have “the peace of God that transcends all understanding” (Philippians 4:6-7). 

It’s a peace centered on our all-sufficient Lord; it’s a peace that fosters abounding thankfulness … no matter the circumstances.

“… Be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit.  Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 5:18-20).

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Undefeated Forever

Undefeated Forever

No one stays undefeated forever.  A team might manage it for a season (Miami Dolphins – 1972), or for several years (UConn women’s basketball – 111 wins in 2016-18).  A reign of dominance might even extend for centuries (Roman empire).

But no one and nothing remains undefeated forever.  Except, that is, for God!

Job described the Lord, the ultimate victor, this way: “But he stands alone, and who can oppose him?   He does whatever he pleases” (Job 23:13).  The Lord himself asks, “Who is like me and who can challenge me?” (Jeremiah 49:19).

There has never been a time that the Lord was overmatched; never a situation where God lost control.  In fact, there’s never been a situation where events began to slip even a smidge from the grasp the Almighty.  The outcome on anything (and everything!) has never been even the slightest bit questionable for the Heavenly One.

No enemy has ever run roughshod over God; none have ever vanquished Him.  Satan and the rebellious angels – spiritual beings of immense wisdom, power and abilities – gave it their best effort, and were cast from the heavenly halls as a result (Revelation 12:7-9).  They didn’t defeat the Lord then, and though they’ve been trying ever since, they still haven’t managed it.  Nor will they. 

And if even the demons can’t overcome God, all the puny efforts of humans certainly won’t.  Mortals have been opposing the Immortal since the beginning of time.  Not a single one has come close to knocking the King from his throne; none have made the slightest advances against him.

This simple truth has profound ramifications – for the world, for our nation, for the Church, for our family, and for each one of us individually.  History – all history – is “His story.”  All of it is God fulfilling his glorious plans for the advancement of his Kingdom and for the benefit of his grace-blessed people.

“The Lord Almighty has sworn, ‘Surely, as I have planned, so it will be,  and as I have purposed, so it will happen.’ … For the Lord Almighty has purposed, and who can thwart him? His hand is stretched out, and who can turn it back?” (Isaiah 14:24&27).

Even when it seems like God is losing, he’s actually winning!  There are a multitude of examples of this in the Scriptures, but the most significant one can be seen by looking to the horrific suffering and death of Jesus.  Jesus’ seeming defeat was the most glorious victory in all of history!  (His story!)

The God who controls everything has never lost control.  Never once.  Not even a little.  Nor will he!

God does not weaken or waiver.  He does not get distracted or neglectful.  He is never overwhelmed or overcome.  He is never uncertain or uniformed; no one and nothing has ever “ambushed” God.  No circumstances surprise the All-knowing and Almighty or are beyond his capability to control or conquer.

The Lord’s dominance is such that Satan has to ask God’s permission to afflict God’s people; nothing can or will be done by the enemies of God unless God allows it (Job 1:9-12, 2:4-6).  Any evil that reaches us must go through the Lord’s protective barrier first (Ps. 18:2). 

And if we are afflicted, it’s because God has a loving reason for it (Rom. 8:28) which we may or may not come to understand in this life.  But we will someday (1 Cor. 13:12), and we’ll praise him for his love and wisdom (Rev. 7:9-17).

Why do bad things sometimes happen to God’s people?  We usually don’t understand.  But we know that our God knows, AND we know that he loves us beyond our comprehension! 

We also know that our God is undefeated, therefore we are comforted that things … that we … will be OK because the Lord our Savior is on our team.  That makes us victors too!

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The Simple, Unimaginable, Incredibly Comforting Truth

The Simple, Unimaginable, Incredibly Comforting Truth

Usually I know what I will write about for “Heading to Heaven” when it is time to write it.  Almost always it becomes clear as the week progresses.  But this time around I drew a blank.

Not adding a weekly post certainly wouldn’t be the end of the world … for you or for me.  Still, I wanted to follow through, if possible.  As I contemplated the situation and the potential subject matter, I finally asked myself, “If you wanted to share the one most important thing in simple fashion, what would it be and how would you word it?”

Here’s what I settled upon: you are incredibly loved by God.

This is a simple yet profound truth.  It is summarized beautifully (and simply) in the words of the children’s song: “Jesus loves me, this I know; for the Bible tells me so!”  (And do not doubt that the message applies to adults as well!)

Simple enough.  Simple even as can be.   

But this truth plays out in so many different ways in our lives beyond the cross that the concept becomes complex.  Incomprehensible even. 

David delved into the reality of God’s active involvement and presence in our personal lives – for ALL of our lives.  In the process, David was led to profound awe.  Here are his words.  Read them slowly and dwell on the magnificence of our God!

Psalm 139:1-18
1 You have searched me, Lord, and you know me. 2 You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. 3 You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. 4 Before a word is on my tongue you, Lord, know it completely. 5 You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me.

6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.

7 Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? 8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. 9 If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, 10 even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.

11 If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,” 12 even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you.

13 For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. 14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.

 15 My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. 16 Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.

17 How precious to me are your thoughts, God! How vast is the sum of them! 18 Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand—when I awake, I am still with you.

Do not miss the love of God embedded throughout those words! 

The Lord has been intimately involved in our lives from the moment we began to exist inside our mothers.  He knit us together fearfully and wonderfully in the womb, and he already knew then when he would call us home to him. 

In the meantime, he knows our every thought, the very words we will speak before we speak them, and what we are doing at any given time. 

But so much more than that!  Our Lord surrounds us with his presence – hemming us in “behind and before.”  He is so close that he lays his hand upon us, holding us fast in in his powerful hand … strengthening and stabilizing us, comforting us and guiding us. 

And he never leaves us.  Wherever we may go and whatever situation we may find ourselves in, his loving presence remains with us.

The Apostle Paul describes that abiding love in poetic and majestic fashion:

“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?  Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? … No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.  For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:35, 37-39).

It’s a love so extensive that the Son of God took our place on the torturous cross so we could join him one day in eternal salvation. 

Why does God take such a personal approach in our lives?  Simply because he loves us!

This simple fact – and all the complex ways God weaves it into our existence – is unimaginable!  Yet Scripture is always true, so this unimaginable concept is undeniable.  Which also makes it incredibly comforting.

“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” (Isaiah 41:10).

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The Master Planner

The Master Planner

I like to think that I’m a fairly practical person who is proficient at making fairly good decisions.  I can plan projects and even anticipate extenuating circumstances.  At least, generally.  I may not be the sharpest hook in the tackle box, but I’m not the dullest either.

By nature, I’m an organizer, thinker, and scheduler.  A planner, and a pretty good one.  Or so I like to tell myself. 

Then the Lord humbles me once again. 

A while back on this very blog, I was lamenting the lack of birds visiting my new bird feeder.  I had erected it in what seemed to me to be the perfect spot – the backyard between the lake and the house.  It was a location that was private, sheltered, and in ready view of all the large windows on that side of the house. 

But the birds seemed reluctant to visit it.  Oh, sure, some came.  But not in proportion to all the birds in our area, or with the variety represented around here either.  “Why not?” I wondered (and I wrote).

Then things took an extremely negative turn.  Canada geese couples with their broods of goslings discovered my “ideally located” feeder, and began swimming right up to our shore and waddling the entire family under the seed-packed outfit.  Yes, it was cute at first.  Until I discovered how many “deposits” multiple goose families leave behind on the lawn!  AND they scared away the limited and more desirable smaller visitors.

After chasing away the geese multiple times a day … no doubt to the supreme entertainment of our neighbors … I began to realize I may need to switch plans.  But I’ve never been a quitter, so I researched ways to keep geese out of one’s yard.  I promptly strung lines with multiple reflectors attached across our entire shoreline.  Pleased with myself, I resumed my other planned activities for the day. 

Remember that expression about the best-laid plans?

30 minutes later, I was chasing a family of 8 geese away from the feeder, across my goose-dropping-peppered lawn, and back toward the lake.  They nimbly stepped over the line and reflectors and splashed into the water … honking their annoyance with me the entire way.

My plans changed immediately.  Not only in regard to where the birdfeeder should be mounted, but also about how I would be spending my next free moments.

I moved my fancy feeder to the front yard.  There are smaller viewing windows on that side of the house, but there are more trees in the vicinity, which definitely makes the smaller birdies more comfortable.  And the geese aren’t bold enough to travel that far away from the lake.  (Although two drake mallards are regular visitors.)

The transition has been a smashing success.

The expected sparrows, finches, and chickadees now make appearances … as well as the colorful bluejays and cardinals.  The regulars from the back still swoop in – grackles, red-wing blackbirds, and mourning doves.  We’ve even spotted pileated woodpeckers clinging tenaciously to the apparatus, popping aggressively away at the woodpecker blocks mounted on both ends.

Additional critters routinely seen scouring the grass below are the requisite squirrels, as well as chipmunks and even rabbits.  It’s not uncommon to view a vast smorgasbord of wildlife gorging themselves together on and under the feeder.

Who would have known?

Well, certainly not the “great planner” that is me!  However, the Great Planner that is God knew exactly what was needed and where.  And he guided the entire process.

Perhaps you will argue that the Lord does not involve himself in such mundane aspects of our lives like the proper placement of a birdfeeder.  I am convinced that he does! 

I have personally experienced God’s guiding and blessing hand too many times … certainly in significant matters, but even in the simplest ones!  Sometimes especially in the simplest ones!  I believe that these are the Lord’s loving reminders to us of how astonishing he is, how aware he is, and how present and providing he is even in our day-to-day lives.

Zophar posed these searching questions to Job: “Can you fathom the mysteries of God?  Can you probe the limits of the Almighty?  They are higher than the heavens above—what can you do? They are deeper than the depths below—what can you know?  Their measure is longer than the earth and wider than the sea” (Job 11:7-9).

In other words, our God is astounding and completely beyond our comprehension! 

We consistently short-change God by underestimating his abilities, and his involvement in our lives.  Like him making it clear where the bird feeder should be placed.  And so many other incidental and monumental details in our complicated (to us, but not to God!) lives.

Solomon makes these points: “In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps” (Proverbs 16:9).  “Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails” (Proverbs 19:21).

Which is why the wise king urges us to, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight” (Proverbs 3:5-6).

So certainly make your plans with prayer, to the honor of God and to the best of your ability.  Sometimes God moves us immediately into his planned path.  But also be ready to pivot if your plans implode, because sometimes the Lord lets us struggle a bit to remind us who is really in control. 

And thanks be to God that He is, and not us!

All of which underscores how we can and should rely upon our all-knowing and almighty God.  His plans are always perfect … even if they initially seem far from it. 

The more we learn to lean upon our God and his loving plans, the more profound our peace.  And that’s just another blessing the Lord brings us when we trust him, the true Master Planner.

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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