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Better than Baseball

Better than Baseball

I’ve always been gleeful about the game.  From my first introduction to baseball when I was very young to this very day, I love the sport. 

Some of my favorite memories of my childhood were connected to baseball.  Game nights in the downtown ballparks.  Players in their matching uniforms.  Stands full of family and friends.  Grandparents honking horns from their vehicles parked around the ballfield when their grandson (or someone on his team!) did something good on the diamond.  The thrill of the at-bat, of banging an extra base hit, or of delivering the pitch or making a play.  The excitement of victory; the deflation of defeat.  Fruit-flavored snow cones after the game that turned one’s tongue a brilliant hue, purchased from the vender ideally situated a short distance behind the backstop. Championship trophies two years in a row – trophies I still treasure.

Then there were the late nights as a grade-school boy listening to the play-by-play of the Detroit Tigers games … enjoyed on ear buds (though we didn’t call them that then), so that I didn’t keep my brother awake.  Or as a teenager, watching the games on TV … even the very late ones on the West Coast … despite having to get up early for the summer job.

As a father, I was privileged to spend approximately twenty years coaching my children’s baseball teams.  Precious times, those years!  And our teams even won some games and awards along the way.

There has never really been a summer in the last fifty or so years without baseball in my life, and rarely a day without at least a sprinkle of a game listened to or watched here or there.  When we moved to Washington, it was only natural to begin following the Mariners.  They’ve had some great moments through the years, but unfortunately not many of them.  Of course, there was the infamous drought; 21 years of never making it into the playoffs.

Until this year!  And not only did they make the playoffs, they advanced out of the wildcard round!  (Much to the chagrin of one of my sons who is a fan of the other team.)

But as I write this and post this, the Mariners are one game away from elimination by the largely despised (due to a cheating scandal) but extremely talented Houston Astros. 

Of course, I can’t know what will happen.  The Mariners may be bounced out of the playoffs in the very next game, or they may win a game or two.  They may even, against all odds, win the next three games and advance to the next round.

Along with all the other diehard M’s fans, I was bitterly disappointed at their first two losses in this series.  Especially since they led the first contest the entire way, until the victory was cruelly snatched away from them with only one out left in the game.

But here is the lesson the Lord taught me this week: it doesn’t matter.  It doesn’t matter in the least.  It really doesn’t matter at all.

Those who know me will accuse me of being hypocritical with that sentiment, because they know how avidly I follow the team, and how long I (and all Mariners’ fans!) have been waiting to see the team play in and win meaningful postseason games. They also know that I will continue to try to watch the games as long as they are still “in it.”

But I mean it; winning playoff games, advancing to the next round, even securing a World Series trophy is completely inconsequential.  As is virtually any other earthly pursuit in whatever area a person’s interests may lie.

Sometimes one needs something to alter their perceptions.  Sometimes God gives many “somethings!”

Like people you care deeply about receiving extremely bad medical news.  Or God-fearing people being taken suddenly from this earth.  Or families imploding.  Or grown children branching out into new careers or lifelong relationships, or moving to new residences.  Or the purchase of a new house 2,000 miles away hanging in the balance.

And even these things, while significant, aren’t the most significant things.  No, there are much greater priorities – in the lives of individuals, as well as in the arenas of families, congregations, and church bodies.  Souls are at risk and being fought over in the spiritual realms; eternities hang in the balance; life with the Lord in heaven … or not … is being determined.

So the outcome of the Major League Baseball playoffs is really inconsequential.  There are so many things in life that are so much more important … yes, that are better! … than baseball. Like Jesus our Savior and the victory he has secured for us.  Like the abundant blessings the Lord pours into our hearts and lives, and the hearts and lives of our loved ones.  Like the simple things in life … and especially the spiritual ones. 

The Lord tries to impress this upon us through the words of the Apostle Paul: “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable — if anything is excellent or praiseworthy —think about such things” (Philippians 4:8-9).

To me, baseball is great.  But God has recently reminded me that there are many things even better!  Thank you for the forced reassessment, Lord.

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Above It All

Above It All

The Washington State Fair happens to be, not only the largest fair in the state of Washington, but in the entire Pacific Northwest.  In fact, it’s one of the biggest fairs in the nation, drawing nearly a million people annually, making the three-week event in September the single greatest attraction in the state!  Unsurprisingly, the size of the fairground is significant, spreading out over 160 acres.

Each year, my wife and I try to spend an evening there … preferably the evening a Christian concert is being presented at the outdoor arena.  Due to the prestige of the fair, the organizers have been able to draw some frontline singers and groups to perform there.  Purchasing concert tickets includes the sweet bonus of free fair admission. 

Unfortunately, there was no Christian concert this year, so the two of us just ambled around the extensive fairgrounds one Sunday afternoon and evening.

As you might imagine, a walk at the Washington State Fair is an assault of the senses. 

Since we were there on a weekend, the fair was flush with people.  Which meant it was impossible not to accidentally jostle some … and equally impossible not to be jostled. (This certainly tripped the touch sense.) 

The tempting smells of burgers and fries, tacos and teriyaki, corndogs and bratwurst, scones and other such desserts, as well as the aromas of virtually any kind of food a person could desire, wafted throughout the grounds.  (My wife and I settled for the teriyaki, and it tasted terrific.)  Of course, one didn’t have to wander far from the food venders to find the more earthy smells of manure from the animals in the barns.

And, my goodness, the sights and sounds of the fair!  The brilliant, blinding, swirling lights on the carnival rides, accompanied by blaring music intended to accentuate the ride experience.  Not to mention the screams when certain “attractions” swung their riders rapidly around or  plummeted them toward the earth from great heights.

A walk around a giant fair is the epitome of over-stimulation of the senses.  Always something to smell, taste, touch, hear or see – a continual barrage of experiential information, no matter where a person happens to be.  It’s all a bit overwhelming.

The final thing my wife and I did on our visit was take a gondola ride from one side of the fairgrounds to the other.  The gondolas roll on cables up and over the fairgrounds.  (See the picture below.)  They are fully enclosed, and the riders are locked inside when the door is latched. 

It was there, in the seclusion of our gondola, gliding silently over the mayhem and surveying the scene below, that we finally found some serenity.  Why?  Because we were above it all!

It occurred to me then that life is a lot like a fairground – full of frenzy and distractions.  Our senses, (and therefore our attention) are drawn to so many things as we negotiate our way through the turmoil.  We’re navigating life in a perpetual state of overstimulation, which leads ultimately to exhaustion.

True peace, joy and serenity are found only in our God and Savior.  To capture them, it is necessary to raise our eyes above the craziness of the world.  The psalmists describe this very thing: “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” (Psalm 121:1-2).  “I lift up my eyes to you, to you who sit enthroned in heaven” (Psalm 123:1). 

And not only do we raise our focus, but we raise our attention and our devotion to a higher level as well.  Paul explains: “… Set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things” (Colossians 3:1-2)

It is when our “eyes,” our minds and our hearts are centered on heavenly, spiritual matters (God and God’s Word!) that the Lord raises us above the hubbub of the world and settles us in the serenity and security of Him.  That’s a very good place to be, and the view is much more sublime.

Like in a gondola at the fair, high above it all.

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T R U S T!

T R U S T!

On August 15, I received a call to serve as pastor for St. John’s in Clare, Michigan and Faith in Harrison, Michigan.  That precipitated six weeks of agonized wrestling over where the Lord wanted me to continue my pastoral ministry.  On September 25, it was shared with St. Paul’s (the congregation I have been serving in Tacoma for over 30 years), and with St. John’s and Faith in Michigan, that I was led to accept the call to Michigan.  Due to multiple circumstances, I will be delayed in transitioning there, but as soon as possible that will be where I settle in as pastor.  Which leads to this week’s post.

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Life is full of radical shake-ups.  Everyone who walks this planet experiences unforeseen situations that rock their world.  The life-rattling occurrences can appear in any facet of one’s life, whether health, family, occupation, finances, possessions … or several or many of the aforementioned all at once!

For a pastor or a teacher, there’s nothing quite as “life-rattling” as receiving a “call” to consider serving the Lord in a different church or school than where he or she is currently serving.

For a pastor, that’s a situation and a decision that obviously impacts his entire family – especially if he decides he needs to accept the call.  The respective worlds of himself, his wife and their children are flipped upside down.  Even the family members’ co-workers and classmates, their extended family and their friends, are affected.  Not to mention the church the pastor has been serving, AND the church or churches where he will serve in the future.

That’s a whole lot of life-shaking happening!  A rather extensive sphere of upset!  (Not necessarily bad upset, but upset nonetheless.)

Significant questions that naturally arise are … how is this all going to work?  How will this affect our current congregation?  How about the other ones?  Not to mention the school where my wife teaches? 

Will the lengthy delay in transitioning bring greater blessings than challenges all around?  How can I best serve the congregation where I currently am during the delay, and how can I best serve the congregations where I’m going while 2,000 miles away?

What about my family members’ current lives and their future plans?  What about selling our house and all that entails?  What about buying a new one three time zones away?  Should we buy now or later, and when we do, how do we finance it?  How can we know the new house is a good choice – the right choice?

So many, many, MANY questions to consider!  And what questions should I be asking that aren’t even coming to mind?

Here’s what became glaringly apparent through this entire call process, and as I look to the future: I MUST trust the Lord.  And not only me, but everyone involved in this situation … whether involved significantly or minimally.  We must trust our gracious and guiding God.  Only he knows the path forward and has the answers in hand.  His attributes of omnipotence (all-powerful), omniscience (all knowing), and love never had more profound implications!  The Lord will guide and provide!

Ultimately, the necessity of trusting the Lord goes well beyond a pastor or teacher considering and deciding on a call.  Trusting the Lord should be a Christian’s preset and default mode … a life-approach used continually and unilaterally every single day and regarding every single aspect of their life.

For we always need God’s assistance.

As my wife and I wrestled with what the Lord would have us do, we had to keep returning to this refrain: “We must trust God.” 

Being forced to fall repeatedly back on this truth recently, I couldn’t help but wonder if the word “trust” might form the basis (serve as an acronym) for a longer explanation of the word’s essence.  I thought about it, and here’s my proposal:

T – Total

R – Reliance

U – Upon our

S – Savior!

T – TOTAL!

I’d be delighted if you shared your thoughts on my suggestion, or if you have a different suggestion, in the comments portion of this blog.  In the meantime, I close this post with the dearly loved and very appropriate words from the Holy Spirit through Solomon:

“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).

In other words – Total Reliance Upon our Savior! TOTAL!

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Plum Gone!

Plum Gone!

We have two fruit trees in our front yard: an apple tree and a plum tree.  The fruit produced by both is exceptional. Every spring I watch with delight as the blossoms fill the branches; every summer I enjoy checking on the progressing fruit; and every fall the entire family looks forward to tasting the final produce.

An interesting thing occurred this fall.  I checked on the plums one day and found them ripe and ready for picking.  However, I couldn’t get to the task that day, so I determined to harvest the fruit in the next few days.  Two days later I looked at the tree, remembering I must find time for pulling the plums, only to find the entire tree bare of fruit!

My first thought: someone snuck into the yard overnight and harvested the purple beauties.  But the plum tree was plum bare … including the highest branches.  It’s possible someone would be so bold as to grab the fruit off the lower branches … even in our well- lit yard next to a house that always seems to have some lights on and some people moving around.  But to reach the highest plums, they would need a ladder … and to see the hidden plums in the dark, they would need a flashlight … both of which would make the crime particularly brazen and extremely unlikely. 

Which means that the tree was stripped by some marauding animals or birds.  The potential suspects are multiple.  Even though we reside in a larger city, we have plenty of crows, opossums, and raccoons – all omnivores – residing here as well.  In fact, just the other night just a half-block away from our house, I saw a raccoon family of at least four.  Now that I reflect back, they were all heading toward our place.  (Maybe the mystery is solved?  Or maybe it was a combination of many thieves?)

The moral of the story is – I was expecting and even anticipating enjoying the fruit from our tree, only to find it stolen away at the end.  When the reality hit, my emotions flowed from shock to anger to disappointment to sorrow.

Afterwards the thought struck me that sadly there are many people living that story in their spiritual lives.  They become engrossed in the joys and difficulties and distractions and busyness of their physical lives – all the while looking forward to the fruits they expect are awaiting them in heaven at the end – but along the way they neglect their souls.  And when this happens, the worst-case scenario can occur: the fruit of their faith can be lost or stolen.  (The Bible shows us this is a possibility!  See Jesus’ explanation of the parable of the sower in Matthew 13:18-23 or read Hebrews 6:4-6.)

Finding one’s faith gone when facing the Lord is a profoundly more serious tragedy than finding one’s plums gone.

Which is why the Apostle John warned us about becoming engrossed in this world.  “Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever” (1 John 2:15-17).

It’s also why Jesus himself posed these thought-provoking questions: “What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?” (Matthew 16:26).  The answers seem obvious, yet so many opt to live ignoring them.  And some of these folks will experience spiritual tragedy.

May you and I not be one of them!  Better to lose everything than to lose Christ!  Better to lose the entire world than to lose salvation!  Better to neglect literally anything than to neglect God’s word and our souls that it feeds and fills.

The Apostle Paul’s encouragement is my encouragement as well … to both you and me.  “So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness”  (Colossians 2:6-7).

My plums are plum gone.  But my Savior is not!  May my faith in him never be either!

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A Joyful Jesus?

A Joyful Jesus?

Some of my favorite portrayals of Jesus are of him smiling or laughing.  When viewing Jesus like that, he seems to become more human … more loving … more approachable.

Yet, there are no mentions of Jesus smiling or laughing in the Gospels.  Can we still assume that he did? 

In my mind, there is no question about it.  Undoubtedly Jesus shared light-hearted moments with his mother, stepfather and siblings growing up.  Similarly, with those with whom he was close, like his disciples, and Mary, Martha and Lazarus.  Furthermore, I can’t imagine the Lord looking at eager, bouncing, smiling children whom he loved dearly (Luke 18:16) and not smiling back at them.

But there is no reference of Jesus smiling or laughing in the four Gospels.  I am convinced that this was not because it didn’t happen, but rather because the Holy Spirit moved the gospel writers to focus primarily on his key statements and astounding actions instead.  Jesus’ kind heart was clearly portrayed, so the happy facial expressions that would naturally follow were a given.

Can I “prove” it?  I think I can.

The proof begins with John 1:1&14, where Jesus is clearly referred to as “God” and as “the Word” who “became flesh.”  That is, Jesus was the embodiment of the words that the Holy Spirit had given to the Old Testament prophets (and ultimately ALL of God’s words!).  Jesus was the living fulfilment of them!

Therefore, when you read a passage like Zephaniah 3:17 – “The LORD your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves.  He will take great delight in you; in his love he … will rejoice over you with singing” – we can safely assume that the delight and rejoicing Jesus experienced over those who believed in him often brought him to smile upon his followers.  He smiled because Jesus was the Word (the embodiment of God’s truth!), and therefore One who delighted in and rejoiced over those who were being saved.

Or in the words of the psalmist: “The LORD takes delight in his people; he crowns [them] with victory” (Psalm 149:4).  This incredible “victory” he was winning would naturally lead to Jesus, (the Word!) grinning over and at his people.

And how could the loving Savior not smile as he spoke forgiveness to those clinging to him in faith?  When he said to the paralyzed man, “Your sins are forgiven” (Mark 2:5), would it not be natural for Jesus to be smiling warmly?  The prophet Micah writes that the Lord “delights to show mercy,” so he “pardons sin” and “forgives transgression.”  (Micah 7:18).  As the Son of God embodied God’s Word during his ministry on earth, surely his delight in forgiving showed itself in smiles as he forgave.

Even on a simpler level, I have no doubt our Savior smiled at the beauty of creation that he, the Father and the Holy Spirit formed.  A gorgeous sunset, a graceful deer, or a newborn baby likely … at least on occasion, and perhaps often … brought joy to his lips.  “The Word made flesh” would certainly “rejoice in his works” (Psalm 104:31), as God’s word declares.

Yet I submit that the thing that brought the greatest joy to Jesus’ heart was likely the last thing that would come to our minds.  Consider this remarkable passage from Scripture: “For the joy set before him [Jesus] endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:2).

Even in his agony in the Garden of Gethsemane while Jesus as true man begged his Heavenly Father to remove the burden of suffering from him, Jesus as true God rejoiced at what was about to be accomplished.  Even amidst the torment of his body being beaten, torn and pierced, Jesus had joy.  In the excruciating suffering of crucifixion, he had joy. 

The work of saving sinners was being completed, and this filled Jesus with delight.

I doubt he smiled during those dark hours of suffering, but his heart overflowed with rejoicing nonetheless.  And a few days later, surely Jesus smiled as he exited the tomb on Easter morning … the price paid, the victory won, salvation for sinners secured.

Finally, and perhaps best of all, we can be certain that it will be a smiling Jesus who welcomes us into heaven when God calls us home.  (Isaiah 65:19).  And we will be smiling too!

What a joy to know we have a joyful Jesus!

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The View from the Top

The View from the Top

As I weigh a call to possibly transition ministry to Michigan, and as I’m dealing with all that the call process entails, I’m finding little extra time to write.  So I’m resharing a popular post from several years ago.  As always, I pray it encourages you!

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I’ve often thought that a Christian’s life is like a backpacking trip in the mountains.

Backpacking, of course, is where one carries everything they will need for the duration of a hike in a pack on their back.  It’s camping … minus the vehicle and most of the other conveniences.

One can backpack in all kinds of environments: forest, prairie or beaches.  We have a fair share of all of those in Washington.  But the geography that seems to especially draw the backpackers in this state is the mountains.  I believe there’s a reason for that!  (More on this in a moment.)

There’s actually a multitude of reasons a person might choose to backpack.  Perhaps it’s the desire to get away from the crowds.  Perhaps self-sufficiency.  It might be eagerness to overcome difficult challenges.  Or maybe the draw is the joy of time spent with dear family members or special friends.  Maybe backpacking scratches the adventure itch.  Maybe the pull is as simple as providing a much-needed break from normal responsibilities.

But one of the greatest lures … at least for me, and I believe for many … is to be able to enjoy the view from the top.  Consequently, we are pulled to the mountains.  John Muir stated, “The mountains are calling and I must go.”  I (and others!) can relate.

However, in order to enjoy the top-tier views, one must begin below, at a lower level.  That necessitates a lot of uphill trudging to get where a trekker is going.  Keep in mind that one’s load is always heaviest at the bottom!  Not to mention that the hiker is undoubtedly at a higher elevation and the air is a bit thinner than he or she is accustomed.  So a backpack in the mountains typically starts hard, and then gets harder.

Inevitably the uphill slopes begin, and the hike becomes more grueling.  Sometimes one forges up a steep hill only to scramble back down into a valley on the other side.  Which means the hiker has to regain all the elevation he or she lost (and more!) on the other side of the valley!

Of course, there are a multitude of joys along the way: immersion in wilderness; scenes normally not seen; delightful conversations with companions; encounters with wildlife; lovely vistas and relaxing campsites; even unforgettable and life-changing experiences.  These are encouraging, but they aren’t the key reason the hiker is on this journey.  There is something bigger and better, greater and more grandiose, up ahead.

So the backpacker continues to lug his or her backpack ever higher.  Along the way, multiple inconveniences and even crises are encountered: tripping on roots and rocks; mosquitoes and biting flies; the sun beating down and burning one’s skin; rainstorms; thirst; disappointing meals; sore muscles or even injuries; rude people and thieving animals; sweat, dirt, and exhaustion.  Perhaps even a wrong turn or two along the way!

But finally … after lengthy days, many miles and thousands of steps … the backpacker crests a summit, and there is that revelation!  That epiphany!  That goal that the hiker strived for all along the way.  It’s the view from the top!

Now is the time to unstrap the backpack, pull out a water bottle and a tasty snack, find a comfy seat and soak in the scenery.  Was it all that was expected?  My experience is that it’s usually better!  Was the rugged journey there worth it?  Undoubtedly!

I believe that a Christian’s life is like a backpacking trip in the mountains.  It begins rough, and generally gets rougher.  There are many joys along the way, of course, but multiple challenges too.  There are lovely views and relaxing rests at times, but frustrations are common as well.  Our path contains some comfortable walking, and even some downhill slopes.  Yet the trend is always uphill, and sometimes steeply!

But that’s OK, because our goal is the view from the top.  Every step is one step closer to the destination; every obstacle overcome brings us just a bit nearer; every blessing a precursor of what awaits. 

And finally … after lengthy days, many miles and thousands of steps … the believer in Jesus crests a summit, and there is that revelation!  That epiphany!  That goal that he or she strived for all along the way.  It’s the view from the top!  It’s the first gorgeous sight of heaven, and it’s eternal immersion in the grace and glory of God!

Will it be all that we expected?  No.  It will be better!  Will the rugged journey there be worth it?  Oh, most definitely yes!

On this mountain the LORD Almighty will prepare a feast of rich food for all peoples, a banquet of aged wine — the best of meats and the finest of wines.  On this mountain he will … swallow up death forever.  The Sovereign LORD will wipe away the tears from all faces … In that day they will say, “Surely this is our God; we trusted in him, and he saved us.  This is the LORD, we trusted in him; let us rejoice and be glad in his salvation”  (Isaiah 25:6-9).

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Punching Powerful and Invisible Foes

Punching Powerful and Invisible Foes

The other day my wife and I were in Seattle for another routine appointment following her eye surgery.  (Everything looks great, thanks be to God!  And pardon the pun.) 

On the sidewalk near the medical facilities was a man who was boxing the air. 

We’ve all seen similar things; it’s not uncommon for people to sometimes throw a few jabs at an invisible opponent.  But typically when we witness this, it is either a person goofing around or making a demonstrative show, or it is an actual fighter mentally rehearsing technique.

But that wasn’t the impression I got of this man on the sidewalk in Seattle.  It wasn’t just a swing or two for show, and he certainly didn’t seem to have the smooth and defined appearance of someone in training.  No, this man swung clumsily and wildly.  Over and over and over again.  And he showed no sign of stopping.

I couldn’t help but wonder, “Who or what is he trying to hit?  Who is the foe he is attempting to fight off?”

We’ll never know what he was seeing in his mind.  But we can safely surmise that at its most basic state, it was Satan or his spiritual henchmen. 

My heart went out to him.  The man was swinging but missing.  It was a battle he could never hope to win on his own.  Not when his opponent was both powerful and invisible.

Solomon wrote about people like him: “Again I looked and saw all the oppression that was taking place under the sun: I saw the tears of the oppressed — and they have no comforter; power was on the side of their oppressors — and they have no comforter” (Ecclesiastes 4:1).

Paul’s well-known description of the spiritual foes of humans also comes to mind.  “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” (Ephesians 6:12).

The flailing gentleman on Seattle’s sidewalk isn’t the only person punching at powerful and unseen foes.  He may have been an extreme example – a physical illustration of a fruitless spiritual battle – but he is not alone.  Every single one of us is punching blindly too.

Perhaps our enemy is an addiction.  Perhaps a health issue, whether physical, mental or emotional.  Maybe a secret and repeated sin; maybe an open one that continues to trouble us and others.  Perhaps an attitude learned via environment or one fostered by circumstances.  Undoubtedly, there are sins of the mind that afflict every one of us … worry, greed, lust, discontent, dislike (or even hatred), despair, scorn (for self or others), self-righteousness … and the list could go on-and-on.

In short, we are all afflicted by unseen but potent oppressors.  We may not physically swing at the air, but emotionally, mentally, and spiritually we do.  We detest our spiritual tormentors and want to beat them off!

And like the sidewalk boxer, it is a battle we could never hope to win on our own.  Not when we are permeated with a sinful nature and our other opponent is both powerful and invisible.

But unlike the swinging man versus his enemy, we have a Comforter – one who fights for us!

Our primary solace comes not through a self-help book or podcast, or a psychologist or person who cares (though these can all be helpful.)  Rather, “our help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth” (Psalm 121:2).  He is the “refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble” (Psalm 9:9).  And he is the One who brings spiritual victory; the One who always perceives the invisible enemies and whose power is unmatchable.  So “do not be afraid of them [whether physical or spiritual enemies]; the LORD your God himself will fight for you” (Deuteronomy 3:22).

How do these spiritual truths become engrained in us and empower us in our spiritual battles with the powerful unseen?  Through regular exposure to God’s word!

Notice how Paul surrounds the description of our spiritual foes in Ephesians 6:10-13:

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.  Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.”

“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”

“Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.”

We become “strong in the Lord,” wearing “the full armor of God” which enables us to “stand our ground” during spiritual conflict (and still be standing afterwards!), when we are immersed in the Scriptures.  That is how the Holy Spirit empowers us and brings our unbeatable God into battle on our behalf against our spiritual enemies.

Without the Lord, we are punching at powerful and invisible foes.  With the Lord, battles are won.  If not completely on earth, then ultimately when the Lord brings us home to heaven.

The victory is always the Lords.  But thanks be to him, we are the benefactors!

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Even Me?

Even Me?

This is a post I shared a few years ago.  I thought I would dust it off and share it again.  I pray it blesses you!

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We humans have the capacity of character to demonstrate extraordinary things.  And especially Christians!  Things like courage, kindness, commitment, compassion, dedication, selflessness, love. and so much more!

We can even forgive others who have wounded us deeply … whether physically, emotionally, or both.  The Gospel can heal our heart and time can ease our pain to the point where we can perhaps pardon even those who have hurt us most and move on with our life.

It’s extraordinary character indeed, and a wonderful gift of God, to be able to mentally maneuver beyond the wrong someone has done to us and settle in a better place!

But many of us, (even Christians, who should know better and do better!), often have one drastic flaw in our makeup.  We might be able to forgive horrible wrongs others have done to us, but often enough can’t bring ourselves to forgive the wrongs we ourselves have done.

We forget to forgive ourselves.  Probably more accurately stated; we refuse to forgive ourselves.  The mistakes we have made are inexcusable … at least in our own minds.  We consider them deplorable, indefensible, unmentionable and unpardonable.

We know Jesus has secured God’s forgiveness for us.  (At least we as Christians should know this, because that’s the recurring theme throughout God’s Word!)  The Scriptures tell us, “… everyone who believes in Jesus receives forgiveness of sins through his name” (Acts 10:43).  This is clear Christian doctrine – the heart of the Gospel and the heartbeat of our faith!

Yet all too often we struggle to forgive ourselves.  And if we struggle to forgive ourselves, the next logical step is to struggle to recognize God has forgiven us too.

To which I ask … how did we get bigger than God?  When did we take over the “allocating forgiveness business?”  Are we somehow and suddenly the king or queen of grace?  The answers are: no, we didn’t … no, we haven’t … and no, we aren’t!  Spiritual forgiveness is God’s territory.  Always has been; always will be.

When God writes to us, “Dear children, your sins have been forgiven on account of Jesus’ name” (1 John 2:12), he is writing as the ultimate authority on forgiveness, and he was referring to you and me and all who look in faith to Jesus as their Savior.  That’s full forgiveness, fully provided by God and fully effective!  Signed, sealed and delivered by Jesus … according to the Lord himself.

I’m convinced that our gracious God supplied us with so many vivid illustrations of his forgiveness in his Word because he knew that our “drastic flaw” would be forgiving ourselves.  Guilt would linger in us and harass our hearts; shame would discourage us and foster despair in our souls.  So the Lord was determined to provide us with concrete metaphors of his forgiveness that would be cemented in our psyche.

How does God describe our forgiveness in the Scriptures?  God calls it “forgiving our debts” (Matthew 6:12), “blotting out our transgressions, and remembering them no more” (Isaiah 43:25), “hurling all our iniquities into the depths of the sea” (Micah 7:19), and “removing our transgressions from us as far as the east is from the west” (Psalm 103:12).  Not to mention the oft-repeated pictures of redemption (bought back), justification (declared not guilty), and sanctification (made pure). 

Sinner, take these lovely pictures to heart, cherish them and pull them out repeatedly to gaze at their beauty yet again!  In Jesus, you are forgiven!

The simple point is this:  God has worked our forgiveness; it is accomplished!  God has spoken our forgiveness; it is fulfilled!  It is what our God and Savior has done and said that matters, and not our point of view.  We might try to conclude that we are forever tainted.  Thanks be to God; he says we are eternally clean!

It is time for us to stop crucifying ourselves; Jesus was crucified for us.  That is more than enough – even for you and me!

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Advancing into the Unknown

Advancing into the Unknown

Dark, impenetrable fog enveloped Chase like swirling eddies in a muddy river; like thick, black smoke pouring from a roaring fire.  He could see nothing – nothing! – but the shifting and roiling banks of murk all around him.

That was disconcerting enough.  The pounding waves banging the bow of his boat relentlessly was also rather alarming.  But even that wasn’t the most troubling aspect of his situation.  The recognition that he was drifting swiftly and inexorably forward into the hiddenness ahead of him was terrifying!

What dangers awaited him in the unseen waters?  What challenges was he about to face with no advance recognition and no possible preparation?  Sharp and sturdy tree branches to impale him?  Partially submerged roots to puncture his boat?  Protruding boulders to upend him?  Tight twists of the river or fierce rapids to negotiate blindly?  Waterfalls to plunge over?  The potential risks were innumerable!

It hadn’t always been that way.  There had been times when the visibility was clear, destinations were discernable, water conditions were calm with the weather desirable, and Chase could direct his boat fairly efficiently and as he saw fit.

Or at least, so it seemed.  It was interesting how often he intended to arrive at one destination only to land at another!  He thought he was a proficient navigator and boatsman, but his past record indicated otherwise.  It was one of the more bewildering (and troubling!) aspects of his previous journeys.

But on this day at this time, things appeared dire and beyond dangerous.  Chase was completely discombobulated by the all-encompassing fog he was drifting through.  What should he do?  Which way should he go?  Should he actively paddle or actively “brake?”  If only he could see through the murkiness, he could orient himself!

The waves pounding and rocking the boat seemed to be increasing in intensity.  That would seem to indicate an approaching rapids with all its associated risks.  Rough water was disconcerting even when one could see the boulders and the drop offs.  Bouncing through “white-water” blind was madness!

Chase had never felt so helpless.  The cloying clouds left him feeling claustrophobic and vulnerable.  He wanted to beat visibility out of the invisibility, but sweeping his paddle through the air accomplished nothing.  It only accentuated his dilemma.

In desperation, he cried out to God.  “Please, Lord, clear the darkness!  Open my vision!  Show me what I need to see!”

To his amazement, Chase sensed a bright glow forming above him.  He lifted his eyes and watched in astonishment as a ray of brilliant sunshine knifed downward through the gloom, driving through the darkness, drawing ever closer.  It wasn’t the distilled light that one typically experienced in the fog.  Rather, it was clear and bright, and repelled the swirling darkness as the beam stretched toward him.

“The Lord has answered my prayer!” thought Chase.  “I’ll finally be able to see again!”

But his consternation rose as it became clear that the beam wasn’t cutting a path to the unseen before him.  Instead, it was descending to a place behind him.

Lower and lower the beam tore through the fog.  Still it was aimed behind him; it’s trajectory in line with the back of his boat.  Chase wondered what good that would do him, but still he watched in fascination.  He couldn’t take his eyes off the brilliant point of the approaching light.

And then he gasped!  Before reaching the deck of his boat, the beam illuminated something totally unexpected.  Jesus was sitting behind him, manning the rudder!

The Lord smiled.  “Hello, Chase.  And you were concerned?”

Tears rolled down Chase’s cheeks, and he gave a weak grin.  He sighed contentedly.  “No.  Not anymore.”  And for the first time since entering the bewildering fog of uncertainty, he relaxed.  He couldn’t see the waters ahead, but he knew who was steering him from behind.  And that was incredibly comforting.

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Proverbs 3:5-6
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.

Psalm 48:14
For this God is our God for ever and ever; he will be our guide even to the end.

Isaiah 42:16
I, [the LORD], will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them.

Exodus 15:11, 13
Who among the gods is like you, LORD? Who is like you — majestic in holiness, awesome in glory, working wonders? … In your unfailing love you will lead the people you have redeemed. In your strength you will guide them to your holy dwelling.

Psalm 139:1-12
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.

Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,” even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you.

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A Challenging Past; An Uncertain Future?

A Challenging Past; An Uncertain Future?

Not to be overly dramatic, but the Seattle Mariners happen to be the team with the longest absence from the playoffs – by a large margin!  And not just in Major League Baseball, but in the top four men’s professional sports leagues!

The New York Jets (NFL) haven’t made the playoffs in 11 years.  It’s the same length of time with the Buffalo Sabres (NHL).  The Sacramento Kings (NBA) have missed out for 16 years now.  But the Mariners (MLB) drought extends to 20 years!

That’s two long decades!  A generation of time!  Over 252 months and an excess of 7,300 days of no post-season play!

The last time the Mariners made it, my youngest son wasn’t even born yet … and he’s about to enter his senior year of high school.  My second-youngest son was only 3 at the time and can’t remember a thing about their last playoff appearance.  He is now graduated from college and is actually working for the team.  Both sons essentially lived their entire lives without experiencing post-season play from their favorite ball team.

The “M’s” have come close a few times since 2001 (the last year they qualified).  In fact, last year they still had a chance to back into the post-season on the final game of the regular season … only to miss out again.  So the playoff drought continued for yet another year.

Wonder of wonders, as I write this, the team is actually holding the top position of three in the “wildcard” qualifiers, and their remaining schedule of games is judged by experts to be the easiest in the American League.  Furthermore, the team is finally at full strength.  (They’ve been playing without some of their better players nearly the entire season.)  So there is cautious optimism that maybe … just maybe … they can break this embarrassing streak.

But there’s a saying in “hardball” circles: “It’s baseball.” 

This brief, bland and generic phrase seems to say nothing.  But for those who know and love the game, the saying says it all.  Namely, that the game of baseball is incredibly fluky, uncertain and unpredictable.  Weird things happen.  Streaks of bad luck occur.  Injuries strike.  Slumps suddenly slam players or teams.  Contending teams can plummet from the heights and unexpected teams can rise up.

“It’s baseball.”  Which means no matter how good things may look at the moment, literally anything could happen in the next six weeks of the regular season.  The history of the Mariners has certainly born this out (in a negative fashion).  Their past has been challenging, and their future remains uncertain.

That’s the delicious beauty of the game … and the sickening reality.  No one can know what will happen on the next pitch, the next swing, or the next at-bat.  No one can predict the events of the next inning, the next game, or the next week.  The “experts” are routinely wrong, which is why the teams play each game to discover what will unfold.  And why one simply has to let the season fully unwind. 

Baseball is actually a microcosm of life.  Full of surprises (both good and bad!) and bound up in uncertainty.

However, there is one significant way that life is different than baseball.  At least different for Christians.

In baseball, one never really knows the outcome until the end.  In a Christian’s life, one always knows the outcome!  And, because of Jesus, we always win! 

To stretch the baseball analogy even further, as Christians we will absolutely have a joyous “post-season!”  Heaven awaits us!  No matter how challenging our “season” has been, our future is certain, and it’s delightful!

The Apostle Peter writes exquisitely about our certain hope for a wonderful future despite the difficulties we are currently enduring.

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.

In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed” (1 Peter 1:3-7).

Who can know if the Mariners will finally make it to the playoffs this year, or if their reign of futility will stretch to 21 years?  I certainly hope they are still playing in October!  But that hope is a hesitant and uncertain hope.

My hope for heaven, however, is a confident one.  Not because of me, but because of my Savior who lived, died, and rose back to life for me.  (And for you too!)  So “let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful” (Hebrews 10:23).

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.  I, and many others, would love to benefit from your insights!

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