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Category: Encouragement

To Be Free

To Be Free

For me, it was just another quiet evening on my dock, relaxing after a long day of work and watching for activity on my bobber.  But for the bluegill who tried to steal the bait off one of my hooks, it turned into a rather traumatic evening. 

One moment he was pulling on a juicy waxworm in anticipation of a tasty snack, the next he felt a sharp pain in his mouth and was being dragged in a direction he didn’t desire to go.  Though he fought with all his might, he couldn’t break free. 

Even more terrifying, he was pulled from the watery world he knew into one where it was difficult for him to breath.  And worst of all, one of those “land giants” was now looking down on him.  There was nothing the fish wanted more at that moment than to be released back into his familiar and comfortable environment.

The “bluey” was indeed dropped back into the water, but not until he was firmly locked into a metal stringer.  And though back in the water, the stringer pinned him to the lake bottom.  No amount of straining could change his dilemma.  He was hopelessly trapped.

I don’t pretend to understand how a fish thinks, but on some level he must have been longing to fin freely through the water … swimming where he wanted to swim without restrictions – like he always had before.  But suddenly he couldn’t. 

Do fish feel frustration?  Anxiety?  Despair?  If so, he must have experienced them.

But it was a fortuitous night for this particular fellow.  I happened to receive a rather lengthy phone call shortly after catching him.  As a result, no other fish were added to the stringer.  I decided I didn’t feel like going through the hassle of cleaning just one.  Since he was cleanly hooked and clearly still healthy, I let him go.

His longing was fulfilled; he was again finning freely through the green waters of Shamrock Lake.  Does he do so with a new appreciation for his freedom?  I don’t know.  But I do know that if he makes the mistake of getting hooked by me again, his freedom will undoubtedly come to an end.

I’m not trying to humanize fish, or foster sympathy for them.  I will still catch them, keep them and clean them.  I enjoy eating breaded panfish fillets far too much to become a fish vegan. 

However, we can certainly relate to that bluegill in this regard: we love our freedom too! 

To be so profoundly blessed to live in a country where we have absolute freedom is no small thing.  Yet, it’s a thing often taken totally for granted by all of us.

When was the last time we actually considered the freedoms we enjoy, and thanked our God for them?  Generally speaking, we can live where we want, wake up when we want, and wear what we want.  We can go where we want and stay there as long as we want.  We can do what we want, eat what we want, buy what we want, read or watch what we want, hang out with whomever we want, and finally go to sleep when we want.

And these are the smaller freedoms!  The value rises exponentially when we consider that we are free to say whatever we want however we want to whomever we want, and that we can freely vote for whomever we desire.  Best of all, we are free to believe what we want, acknowledge the deity we want, and worship that god (our God!) however we see fit.

The places in the world where these freedoms exist are becoming fewer and fewer.

Of course, there is also the freedom from the condemnation of sin that our Savior, Jesus, has provided for us, as well as all the connected spiritual freedoms connected with knowing and trusting in our gracious God.  Profound blessings that we can appreciate and celebrate openly because of the freedom we enjoy in our country!

God grant that we never reach the point when these freedoms are recognized only because we no longer have them … like a fish on a stringer beside the dock.  Rather, may we constantly appreciate the blessings of being free … as a nation, and as a Christian.

Oh, what a treasure it is to be free.

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Passages on the Blessings of Freedom in a Nation

Psalm 33
12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people he chose for his inheritance. 13 From heaven the Lord looks down and sees all mankind; 14 from his dwelling place he watches all who live on earth—15 he who forms the hearts of all, who considers everything they do. …

18 … The eyes of the Lord are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love, 19 to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine. 20 We wait in hope for the Lord; he is our help and our shield. 21 In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. 22 May your unfailing love be with us, Lord, even as we put our hope in you.

Deuteronomy 28
1 If you fully obey the Lord your God and carefully follow all his commands I give you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations on earth. 2 All these blessings will come on you and accompany you if you obey the Lord your God:

3 You will be blessed in the city and blessed in the country. … 6 You will be blessed when you come in and blessed when you go out. 7 The Lord will grant that the enemies who rise up against you will be defeated before you. They will come at you from one direction but flee from you in seven. 8 … The Lord your God will bless you in the land he is giving you.

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Passages on the Blessings of Freedom in Christ

John 8
31 To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. 32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. … 34 Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. 35 Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. 36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.

Romans 8
1 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, 2 because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. …

14 For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. 15 The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” 16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. 17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ …

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Right Here.  Right Now.

Right Here.  Right Now.

It’s a fairly common approach: write a letter or a song to one’s younger self. 

Now that I’m older, I better understand why it is commonly done – the older we get the wiser we become.  There are so many nuggets of wisdom I dearly wish I could share with my younger self.  (Not that I would have necessarily listened to my older, wiser self, mind you.)

Here’s one truth that my older self would beg my younger self to understand: enjoy every moment.  It won’t come again, and a person often doesn’t realize its preciousness until it’s over. 

In fact, this is a truth that I beg my older self to take to heart as well.  And every reader too!

Too many times I’ve squandered a priceless, unrepeatable moment by dwelling on the current challenges or worrying about the unpredictable future.  Or simply by taking it for granted.  By the time I realize my mistake, the moment is gone … never to return.

The list of such situations is lengthy, and would vary with each individual.  But here’s a few that come to my mind:

The carefree days of childhood.  Laying on the lawn and staring at the white clouds floating above, or the sweep of the stars at night.  The first day of summer vacation.  Outdoor games with relatives during daylight; hide-and-seek in the dark.  Telling stories in the tent at sleepovers.  Slushies in the park after the baseball game is over.

Birthday, Baptism, confirmation, graduation, wedding, and anniversary days.  Any family gathering … whether for an auspicious event or just because.

Your baby son or daughter falling asleep in your arms.  Cuddling your young children or grandchildren on your lap.  A toddler’s laughter.  Meals with all the youngsters scattered around the table.  Holding your child’s hand when they need extra stability.  Storytime, evening devotions and bedtime prayers.

Vacation … any vacation (even rained-out camping trips!) … with family members.  A back-packing, hunting or fishing trip with your sons.  A lunch out with your daughter.  A walk in the park with a loved one.  A quiet moment with a spouse.  A phone chat with a distant child, parent or relative.

Pre-outdoor-activity planning sessions with participants, and the post-adventure conversations that follow.  Casting a line into the lake; the thrill of a bite.  Opening morning in a deer stand.  Naps in a hammock surrounded by God’s great creation.  Games at the picnic bench in the campground; Euchre on a makeshift rock “table” after a day of backpacking.  Campfires at camp or in the backyard.

Watching your children compete in a sports event, perform in a play or sing in a concert or a worship service.  Holiday meals with dear ones.  Petting or playing with your dog.

Stepping onto a field or a court to personally participate in a ballgame.  Observing the boys you coach execute the skills you’ve taught them.  Playing in a formal softball game with your children.  Watching a professional game with family members.  Catching a batting-practice baseball.

A delightful conversation with a friend.  An evening together with pals.  Banter between buddies.

A gorgeous view the Lord has brought before your eyes; a moment of clarity and peace in the craziness of life.  Witnessing something spectacular, and the profound awe it brings.

The moment you realize that the Lord has intervened … yet again … and the seemingly unsolvable dilemma is solved.

Time in the Word … whether in formal worship or private devotions, and the comfort, understanding and insights the Holy Spirit brings through it.  Those moments when the monumental love of God becomes obvious yet again.  The view of the cross and the revelation of the empty tomb. 

The celebration of a life lived in Jesus and the eternal salvation that person is enjoying now that the Lord has called them Home.

A smile directed toward you from someone you care about.

Every single hug with a loved one.

This is far from a complete list.  But it is a list that fostered deep emotions in me nonetheless.  And it underscores the point – with God’s help, strive to appreciate every moment right here and right now.  There are magnificent blessings from God in each one.

“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. … ‘The Lord’s right hand is lifted high; the Lord’s right hand has done mighty things!’  … The Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes.  The Lord has done it this very day; let us rejoice today and be glad. … The Lord is God, and he has made his light shine on us. …  Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.”  (Psalm 118:selected).

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God Lingo

God Lingo

If you do a quick online search for the definition of “lingo,” you’ll find something like this: “A language or vocabulary that is specific to a certain subject, group of people, or region; including slang and jargon.”  In short, “lingo” is specialized speech from some niche of society.

For example, one can sit in a mall in “big-city” America and hear a variety of lingos.  There’s distinct inner-city lingos, cultural lingos, and high school lingos, just to name a few.  And even those will vary based on the location from which the people speaking derived!  As discussed in a recent Bible study at the churches I serve, there are also gender lingos for both men and women.

The same is true of various sports, activities and hobbies.  For example, “ducks on the pond” means something quite specific to baseball players, and something totally different to most other people.

As a matter of record, I don’t speak inner-city lingo, though I am fascinated when I hear it.  However, my brother came up with a modified Scrabble game called “Red-necked Scrabble.”  A number of years ago when I played it, my wife was rather alarmed at how easily I slipped into the jargon … even winning my first game with some “hunkey-dorey dandified” words!

In that same vein, I wonder if we as Christians don’t sometimes slip into “God lingo.”  We use catch-phrase words which are absolutely Bible-based, but which have lost some of their impact to us.

This can work both ways.  We hear the words, but they don’t fully register in our minds and hearts.  Or we say the words at the right time and right place, but they have somehow turned into simply “the right words to say.”

I think the God-lingo list is long for many believers.  Here are a few words that come to my mind as perhaps lacking their proper punch to the average Christian:

“Triune” or “Trinity” – The words flow off our tongues so casually in worship – a creed, hymn or prayer.  Furthermore, “Trinity” is often part of a church or school name.  Asked to define the words, and God’s people can easily spout off, “Three persons in one God.”   But pause for a moment and consider this truth: three distinct persons making up one distinct God!  This is such a deep concept that we can’t even begin to wrap our minds around it!  An incomprehensibly complex God, yet one who is absolutely devoted to us.  (Which is the most incomprehensible aspect of God of all!)  The words should inspire the deepest of awe in anyone who “understands” them and the Lord they describe.

“God loves” – Not the generic “God is love,” but rather, “God loves me!”  How astounding!  We are well aware of how unworthy of God’s love we are.  Yet the unmistakable message of the Scriptures is that the Triune God … the Creator God … the holy God … the All-in-All and Everything God … does love us.  It’s a love so profound that he left heaven so we could one day go there to be with him forever.  A love so devoted that it abides with us even in our day-to-day lives here on earth.  “God’s love” are words that should never be taken lightly by any child of God.

“Paid for” / “Forgiveness” – As in, “your sins are paid for,” or “you are forgiven.”  The phrases are often spoken and often heard.  But don’t let their common usage empty them of the significance of the truth!  “For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect” (1 Peter 1:18-19).  The atoning payment for our transgressions, and the forgiveness it won for us, cost God’s Son dearly!  But thanks be to Jesus, he paid the price in full!

“Saved” / “Salvation” – These are perhaps two of the most commonly used words in “God lingo,” and understandably so.  They express the central message of the Bible; we are saved and headed to eternal salvation.  But please never let their frequent usage keep you (or me!) from ever being totally overwhelmed at the wonder of this truth.  We were spiritually lost, blind, and chained … dead in our sins and doomed to damnation.  And God saved us and made us heirs of salvation!  (Titus 3:7).  All of eternity will be too short to properly praise him for the blessing.

“Faith” – This is not a reliance upon good fortune or the ability of self, but a confidence centered on Jesus Christ, the Son of God … our Rock, Fortress, Deliverer, and Savior.  It’s not self-manufactured, but a profound gift of the Holy Spirit produced through contact with God’s Gospel.  “Faith” is no small thing.  It never was and never will be.  In fact, faith in Jesus our Savior is the balm to our conscience, the gateway to our earthly peace, and our ultimate ticket to heaven.  “Faith” is never a word to be casually dismissed.

“Trust” – A frequently stated word about an incredibly important concept that many Christians struggle to self-apply.  “Trust” is not a wishy-washy hope that things will somehow work out, but a rock-solid confidence that our loving God will keep his promises to us and provide for our every need … in his way and in his time.  The Holy Spirit describes it this way: “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).  

“Providence” – This is a word frequently offered to encourage self or others.  “Providence” is not good fortune or the positive side of karma.  It’s the God of the Bible providing for us – typically in common ways, but sometimes in extraordinary ones.  The longer God’s people live, the more they can point back to God’s remarkable and repeated providential activity in their lives.  Which encourages trust.  (See the previous entry.) 

“Church” – For many, “church” describes a building that one attends now and then … at least on the holidays.  But “church” describes so much more.  The Scriptures refer to the church as the “Body of Christ” (1 Cor. 1212-27) and even the “Bride of Christ” (Rev. 19:7).  It’s not just a structure or a gathering place, but a living, spiritual entity made up of God’s people and empowered by God himself.  Somewhat dysfunctional because of sin, it nevertheless is the earthly family of God where his children can be encouraged, uplifted and spiritually blessed through his Word.

These are some of the “God lingo” words that came to my mind.  This is by no means a comprehensive list.  Do you have some others you think should be added to the list?  If so, please list them in the comments section of this blog. 

In the meantime, may we remember these Bible truths: “All Scripture is God-breathed …” (2 Timothy 3:16), and “these [words] are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name” (John 20:31).

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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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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He Didn’t Need to Do It

He Didn’t Need to Do It

I love God’s creation.  I am awestruck that our creative creating God formed so much variety in the plant and animal world!  And everything has its place in the balance of nature. 

But while I’m intrigued by its unique characteristics, I admit that snapping turtles don’t command a great deal of my appreciation.  Beige leathery skin camouflaged a dull green on top, and covered with a dull green shell.  A snake-like head with small, beady eyes and protruding nostrils, and a snake-like tail covered with armored ridges.  Long claws protrude from its thick, stumpy legs.

Not only are they ugly, but they can be nasty too.  And especially when they are out of the water, where they feel more vulnerable. 

Generally slow in movement, they can bite astonishingly quickly.  And their bites pack a powerful PSI (pounds per square inch)!  To put it in perspective, humans have a PSI of about 162, most dogs about 200-250, while an alligator snapping turtle can exert an astonishing 1,000 pounds per square inch with its bite!

That’s powerful enough to crush bones, sever fingers, and, as proven in an experiment, cut through a wooden broomstick!  Thankfully, they aren’t generally aggressive in water, where they usually hang out.

I recognize that snapping turtles have their place in God’s creation, but I admit that I wouldn’t go out of my way to see one and certainly not to assist one.

So imagine my surprise recently when I witnessed a young man ushering a snapper across busy McEwan Street here in Clare!

As the locals know, McEwan is essentially “main street” into and out of the city.  It consists of 2 lanes going in both directions, with a turn lane in the middle. (5 lanes altogether.)  Furthermore, the street can get frantically busy, and especially along “hamburger hill” … a stretch just off the freeway packed with restaurants.

Restaurant alley seems an unlikely place for a turtle to decide to cross the street.  Presumably it was a female searching for a suitable place to lay her eggs, and there doesn’t seem to be much habitat in that area for such a thing.  Nevertheless, that’s where she was methodically making her way across the 5 lanes of speeding vehicles.

It could very well have been a mortal mistake on her part.  Except for her benevolent guardian who walked beside her.

He wore no bright clothes; no fluorescent orange or yellow.  He was in drab, every-day clothes that really didn’t allow him to stand out much.  What DID stand out about him was that he was standing out in the middle of a busy street, waving his arms at oncoming traffic!

“What in the world is he doing?” I initially wondered.  Then I saw the turtle.

I don’t know how long that slow trek lasted, but I’m confident that young man stayed with the turtle for the duration.  He didn’t need to do that, but he did.

It occurred to me that this is what our Savior did and does for us.

We are every bit as ugly – spiritually – as that turtle.  Every bit as undeserving.  Every bit as foolish.  Every bit as undesirable.  Yet Jesus desired that we be with him now and forever.

So he stretched out his arms and died for us.  Our sins are atoned for; our salvation secured through him.  He didn’t need to do that, but he did.

And he still walks beside us through the dangers and difficulties of this life!

What a thought.  We are slowly ambulating through circumstances that beset us, imminent destruction surrounding us … and Jesus walks beside us, keeping us safe.  He doesn’t need to do that either, but he does.

“Though the Lord is exalted, he looks kindly on the lowly;  though lofty, he sees them from afar. Though I walk in the midst of trouble,  you preserve my life.  You stretch out your hand …; with your right hand you save me” (Psalm 138:6-7).

Thanks be to our God and Savior, who didn’t need to do what he did and does, but who did it and does it anyway! 

How awesome is our God!  How unimaginable his love!  And how comforting his presence.

How to Interact on This Blog

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

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

We Can’t Be Grateful Enough

We Can’t Be Grateful Enough

I wrote this three years ago for Memorial Day.  It was well-received, so I thought I’d share it again.  Grateful thanks to all our veterans … but especially to those who “gave all.”

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What does a soldier think about the night before a battle?

Maybe he (or she) is “fortunate” to be so exhausted from transitioning to the position of attack that they are predisposed toward sleep.  But even so, with conflict looming the mind must race.

Being a soldier, he is aware of the goal, and the importance of their mission.  The unit is trained to attain its objective, so a soldier must review in his mind their personal assignment and make every effort to be mentally prepared for it.  But undoubtedly, a warrior wonders, “Will we accomplish it?  If so, how high a toll will we pay?”   And he understands that if they don’t succeed, the toll will be even higher.

Yet I can’t help but believe that for most soldiers on the night before a battle, their thoughts are primarily circulating around deeply personal things.

How could one not reflect upon the loved ones back home?  A wife or girlfriend: “Will I ever smell her perfume, feel her touch or kiss her again?”  The children: “Will I ever see their smiles or hear their laughter?  Will I ever hug them close again?”  The parents, siblings, and dear relatives: “Will I ever engage in another conversation on the porch or in the living room with them or sit down to a holiday feast together?”  The close friends: “Will I enjoy their company one fine day?”

Even one’s dog probably shambles through the thoughts with tail wagging.  “Will I pet him post-battle or post-war?”

“Will I walk into my home once more?  Travel to my favorite vacation destination once more?  Spend a day on my favorite hobby?  Watch a ballgame?  Attend a concert?  Take a leisurely nap in a recliner?  Enjoy a hot shower or a cold chocolate shake?  Feel the sun warm my skin on a sunny beach, or huddle comfortably under the blankets in my bed on a rainy night?  Sit in church, sing some hymns and soak up a sermon?”

“Will I see the sunset tomorrow?  Will my buddies?  How many of us and who?  What does it feel like to die violently?  What happens to me if I’m wounded?  What does tomorrow hold for me?”

And how could one just hours from deadly conflict not reflect upon past mistakes and ruminate on future possibilities.  Regrets must be abundant; heartaches achingly painful; melancholy predominant; fear ever-present; prayers unceasing.

With the offensive beginning at o-dark-early, and the thoughts roiling, how does a soldier sleep at all?

But eventually the battle is joined, and warriors are thrust into the hell-on-earth that is warfare.  And just as they feared, many of them fall.

We can’t be grateful enough for their sacrifices … for leaving behind family and often country, for their hard training and dedication, for the sleepless nights before attacks are launched, and for dying so young so we can typically live to be so old.

Memorial Day encompasses so much more than an extra day off from work, sleeping in and sales at the stores, a baseball game, a barbecue on the deck or a camping trip.  It’s a day dedicated to men and women who literally gave it all so we could have it all.  We dare not forget them.

There was another warrior who didn’t sleep at all the night before battle.  There was no uncertainty for him; he knew that if he entered the conflict, he would suffer and die horribly.  He begged God the Father to find another solution, but there was no other solution.  So Jesus resolutely entered the fray.  And he did suffer horribly, and he did die. 

But in giving his life he gave life to us.  By his sacrifice we are saved.  Through his death (and resurrection!), he brought us victory over Satan, sin, death and hell.  The war was won by our Warrior Savior!

The Apostle Paul writes about Jesus’ battle assignment in Romans: “You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. … God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him!” (Romans 5:6, 8-9).

Or as Jesus himself said, “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” (John 15:13).

This is certainly true of our Savior, who knew and loved us all.  It’s also true of many a soldier who gave their life … not just for their family and friends, but for strangers like you and me.

As for us, we can’t be grateful enough.

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An Invisible Reality – A Story

An Invisible Reality – A Story

It was a typical spring day – somewhat hazy with a threat of rain.  Bobby was making a quick run to the grocery store to pick up some dinner supplies.  He was 43 years old and married, with three children he adored … a son and two young daughters.   He was also active in his Christian church, both in attendance and service.

But Bobby’s “luck” that day was bad and his timing “poor.”  At an intersection a half-mile from his destination, a garbage truck’s brakes suddenly failed.  The frantic driver had little opportunity to react; he tried to activate the emergency brake while desperately honking his horn as the 20-ton truck blew through the stop sign and into the intersection.

Bobby saw it coming … but too late.  In that dreadful instant, he knew he was about to be broadsided by a massive amount of steel.  “Why, Lord?!” flashed through his mind before the brilliant explosion of lights that led to darkness.

How long he drifted in that state, he didn’t know.  But eventually his mind’s eyes came into focus upon a being of exquisite splendor. 

Man-like in appearance, he was tall, muscled, and … commanding, would perhaps be the appropriate adjective.  His hair was brown, wavy and hung loosely over his shoulders.  His eyes were a piercing brown and his clean face presented a handsome but rugged cast.  Two beige wings were folded tightly behind him … their tops framing his head.  He was dressed in comfortable, loose-fitting, white linens.  A golden glow emanated from his entire being.

“I am Jonrus,” he stated.  “I’ve been sent by the Exalted One to make visible to you what is usually invisible in the physical world.”  His piercing eyes stared at Bobby.  “Most who ask ‘why’ don’t get an immediate answer.  However, the Lord wants you to understand and to share.”

The angel continued to stare.  Bobby gulped.  What could he say?  And dare he even speak at all?  Finally, he stammered, “I’ll be honored to see whatever you reveal to me.”

“I will show you the simple view.  When you include all the other Christians, this becomes extremely complex and would be too difficult for you to glean anything from it.  So we’ll limit your observation to one person.  Her name is Sally.  She’s a real person in the real world.”

The angel stepped to Bobby’s side and swung around to face the same direction.  There before them was a middle-aged woman walking briskly.  Her surroundings were undefined, though they altered as she moved along.  Sally always remained in focus, but what was around her appeared blurry. 

Bobby was intrigued to see silver, cross-shaped lights gleaming from her chest and her head.

“This is the first view,” the angel said.  “You are about to witness a series of spiritual attacks on this godly woman.  They’ll be pictured as animals to better enable you to grasp their size and seriousness.”

Suddenly, a circle of light appeared near Sally.  There, illuminated for Bobby to clearly see, was a large gray rat.  It was skittering its way to the poor woman; the two were clearly on a collision course.  The views converged and Sally screamed in her shock at the sight of the rodent.  Shifty and quick, the rat dashed around her several times, and then dodged back and forth in front of her.  Sally recoiled in horror.  And suddenly the rat was gone.

The woman took a moment to recuperate, breathed deeply, and resumed her journey.  Little did she know that her path was about to intersect with a skunk.  It waddled into her view where it settled on its haunches before her and eyed her suspiciously for the longest time.  She didn’t move, other than to cover her mouth and nose with her hands.  The noxious creature stood on all fours, and haughtily spun around.  “No!” the woman cried out.  And suddenly the skunk disappeared.

No sooner was the skunk gone when a coyote skulked into her presence … his fur bristling and snarls pouring out of his toothy mouth.  As Sally backed away, the coyote took threatening steps toward her.  This dance continued for some time, the besieged woman backing away and the nasty creature boldly advancing, drawing closer and closer to her.  Then the inevitable happened; the coyote lunged forward … and he was gone.

Poor Sally was shaking.  Eventually she gathered herself and began walking (somewhat unsteadily) again.  Bobby gasped; he saw the hyena coming.  “Jonrus, no!”

“Watch,” the angel replied.

The hyena trotted toward Sally in the strange gait produced by its longer front legs.  Clearly, it had bad intentions for the Christian woman before him.  When the ugly brute burst into her bubble, Sally shrieked.  “Oh, Lord!  Please not this!”  Aggressively, the animal lunged at her again and again.  Sally was terrified … her eyes wide and her mouth screaming at every new approach.  Even so, she was astounded that she wasn’t feeling the hyena’s teeth.  And then the hyena was no more. 

Sally collapsed to the ground, sobbing.  “Lord, no more!  Please!  I don’t think I can take any more!” 

That’s when the grizzly stepped into view.  Huge and ferocious, it towered over the cowering woman.  Not content with that, the massive bear stood up on its back legs, rolling its head back and forth as it roared its defiance and challenge.  Sally curled into a fetal ball, anticipating the devastation about to ruin her life.  “Help me, dear Jesus!  Please help me!”  The bear dropped to all fours and brazenly approached the huddled woman.  This would be easy pickings.  He nudged her roughly with his snout, then opened his mouth to tear into her, saliva dribbling down.  And he vanished.

Bobby was crying along with Sally.  “That poor woman!” 

Jonrus answered, “She is just experiencing the spiritual attacks that every believer endures sooner or later.  Including you.”

He paused.  “Now I will show you the second view.  Look.”

The initial view of the walking Sally reappeared.  However, this time the view was expanded to include a wider area and to reveal what had previously been unseen.  Angels surrounded Sally!  And not just immediately around her, but ranks upon ranks as far as Bobby could see!

In astonishment, Bobby watched as the spiritual attacks approached Sally.  The lines of angels separated seamlessly around the animals … opening before them and closing immediately behind them!  The aggressors were constantly surrounded by countless sword and spear-bearing warriors.  Not only did the angels keep them in place, but they effectively pushed the attackers toward Sally. 

“Why?” Bobby demanded. 

“The why question again?  You should close your mouth and open your eyes and you will see and understand,” Jonrus stated, not unkindly.  “All will be made clear soon.”

As the attackers entered Sally’s presence, the angels continued to maintain their close presence to both the aggressors and the woman.  The attack continued unabated until the angels’ weapons flashed a brilliant gold.  Immediately the warriors acted.

The rat was dispatched with a lightening quick foot stomp.  The skunk was flipped into the air by a sword and swatted away by other swords down the line with amazing coordination until it was finally skewered.  The coyote was clubbed simultaneously by every spear handle within reach.  The hyena was pinned to the ground by multiple spear points. 

Bobby observed it all in awestruck wonder. 

Finally, it was time for the bear attack.  He watched as the grizzly was herded toward Sally.  It tried repeatedly to break away from the angels, lashing out repeatedly.  The angels deftly deflected his blows and remain unmoved from their positions.  The bear advanced until it was face-to-face with the distraught woman. 

Suddenly, with a brilliant explosion of light, Jesus appeared at Sally’s side.  Bobby gasped.  “He’s always present for the fiercest attacks,” Jonrus stated, with clear adulation in his voice. 

Jesus stood over Sally, smiling lovingly.  As the bear opened his mouth over the huddled woman, Jesus’ unsheathed a gleaming sword and decapitated it in a blindingly fast manner.  Jesus knelt down and kissed Sally gently on the forehead.  With another flash, he was gone.

The immensity of what he had seen settled over Bobby.  Both he and Jonrus were quiet for a moment.  Finally, Bobby said, “I’m sorry.  I know I’m not supposed to ask …“

“But why?” Jonrus finished for him.

“Yes!”

“It is time for the third view.” Again, everything was repeated.  Sally, the angels, the attackers … it was all visible.  But now Bobby noticed something that hadn’t been revealed before.

During each attack, varied-colored spheres drifted down from heaven … the size comparable to the size of the attacker.  Bobby recognized intuitively that these were God’s blessings.  Some settled in Sally’s head; some in her heart; some rested on her shoulders for future blessing.

And each one produced a greater, brighter cross-light wherever it landed.  

Jonrus spoke.  “These attacks rise from the very pit of hell.  Sometimes the Lord allows them to reach his children.  But only the ones that the Lord knows that person needs … and only because the Lord in his love is bringing spiritual blessings through them.  Sometimes believers come to recognize the blessings on earth; sometimes they don’t recognize them until they arrive at their heavenly home.”

The angel turned to face Bobby.  “This is why spiritual attacks occur – so the Lord can bring blessings that wouldn’t be realized otherwise.  And the Lord does not allow his people to ever face these attacks alone.”

Bobby was speechless; tears of wonder and joy poured down his cheeks. 

“One more thing,” the angel stated.  “You will be spared from great harm because of your accident.  Just some of the blessings the Lord is bringing through it is that the doctor who worked on you is astounded you weren’t more seriously injured, and is reconsidering his view of God.”

“Also, precautionary tests taken following the crash revealed a medical issue you need to know about.  It’s not serious now, but it would be later if not discovered.  And it wouldn’t have been discovered if not for the accident.”

“There are many other blessings being brought to you through this attack as well … not the least of which is that you were given a view of the invisible reality.  Treasure it.  Share it.  Celebrate it!”

Jonrus was gone, as was Bobby’s view of the unseen spiritual world.  His eyes opened to once again see the seen, but his view of it was never the same.

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

2 Kings 6:10-17
So the king of Israel checked on the place indicated by the man of God. Time and again Elisha warned the king, so that he was on his guard in such places. This enraged the king of Aram. He summoned his officers and demanded of them, “Tell me! Which of us is on the side of the king of Israel?”

“None of us, my lord the king,” said one of his officers, “but Elisha, the prophet who is in Israel, tells the king of Israel the very words you speak in your bedroom.”

“Go, find out where he is,” the king ordered, “so I can send men and capture him.” The report came back: “He is in Dothan.” Then he sent horses and chariots and a strong force there. They went by night and surrounded the city.

When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. “Oh no, my lord! What shall we do?” the servant asked.

“Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” And Elisha prayed, “Open his eyes, Lord, so that he may see.” Then the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.

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

Whom Shall I Fear (God of Angel Armies)

Chris Tomlin

You hear me when I call
You are my morning song
Though darkness fills the night
It cannot hide the light
Whom shall I fear

You crush the enemy
Underneath my feet
You are my sword and shield
Though troubles linger still
Whom shall I fear

I know who goes before me
I know who stands behind
The God of angel armies
Is always by my side

The one who reigns forever
He is a friend of mine
The God of angel armies
Is always by my side

My strength is in Your name
For You alone can save
You will deliver me
Yours is the victory

Whom shall I fear (whom shall I fear)
Whom shall I fear

I know who goes before me
I know who stands behind
The God of angel armies
Is always by my side

The one who reigns forever
He is a friend of mine
The God of angel armies
Is always by my side

And nothing formed against me shall stand
You hold the whole world in Your hands
I’m holding on to Your promises
You are faithful, You are faithful

I know who goes before me
I know who stands behind
The God of angel armies
Is always by my side

The one who reigns forever
He is a friend of mine
The God of angel armies
Is always by my side

Songwriters: Chris Tomlin, Ed Cash, Scott Mctyeire Cash.

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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As the Rain Falls

As the Rain Falls

As I type this week’s post, the sky is gray and sputtering light moisture. It’s a welcome sight, as we have been in a bit of a dry spell for a while now. This is unusual for this time of year in central Michigan. Normally, May is our wettest month of the year, with an average of 3 ½ inches of rain falling.

In fact, the warmer months in Michigan provide a bounty of rainfall. It’s not always raining by any means, but it rains frequently enough to keep the grass a brilliant green and the flowers and trees well-watered.

Those of you who are familiar with the state of Washington where we used to live know that the rainy season there is from mid-September until maybe mid-June. Dry days during those months are rare. However, during the summers hardly a drop of precipitation falls. Which means that unless one makes a point to water the lawn, the grass dies. As do the flowers in the beds.

So when the rains return, many western-Washington locals rejoice. The grass will turn green again!

Different places; different climates.

Regardless of where one might live or be, rain is a crucial element … though it’s often a blessing we tend to take for granted. But water is no insignificant thing! Without it, plants and animals die. Most locales are supported primarily by precipitation that falls from heaven, either as rain or snow, which waters the soil and accumulates in rivers, lakes and oceans.

The simplest illustration of this truth can be found by considering the amount of moisture that falls in various places, and how those lands look.

For example, Mawsynram, India and Tutunendo, Colombia are both near the equator and consequently receive some of the highest precipitation totals in the world – over 460 inches a year! (If you would like to see pictures of the foliage there, look the cities up. It is beyond lush!) Meanwhile, Egypt averages only three-hundredths (0.03) of an inch per year, and its landscape is much starker.

These are extreme examples. But the same holds true in our own country, albeit in less dramatic fashion. Yet the differences are dramatic enough. Hawaii is our top-rain receiver with approximately 64 inches annually; Nevada our lowest at only 9 ½ inches. Needless to say, the flora appearances in those two states are significantly different! (For a quick comparison of the amount of annual rain/snow in the states, check out the color-coded map from “CurrentResults.com” at the bottom of this article.)

The state of Washington where we used to live clearly demonstrates the impact of precipitation. With the Pacific Ocean on the west border, several mountain ranges bisecting the state, and serious elevation differences around the region, the amount of annual precip varies greatly, as does the vegetation in the various zones. On the coast below the Olympic Mountains resides a temperate rainforest which accumulates about 120 inches of rain per year. On the rolling plains east of the Cascade Mountains, the trees and plants are quite different because typically less than 10 inches falls.

It’s interesting to compare our former city and our current one. Tacoma gleans about 40 inches per year (mostly in the fall, winter and spring) and the plant life there appropriately reflects it. Everything is green there three-quarters of the year, but not over summer. Clare receives almost the same amount (in snow and rain), but mostly in the warmer months, making summer gloriously green.

It’s quite a simple concept actually. The more rain that waters the land, the more the land flourishes.

The Lord grabs this concept and turns it into a telling illustration through the prophet Isaiah. “As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it” (Isaiah 55:10-11).

It’s the same simple concept! The more the soil of our souls are watered by God’s Word, the more our souls flourish spiritually.

Through the Gospel, the Holy Spirit creates faith in our Savior (Titus 3:5-6), nourishes that faith (Ephesians 3:16), and fosters fruits of faith (Galatians 5:22-23). The more our hearts are watered by the Word, the more we blossom spiritually. Our hearts, minds and bodies are impacted. Our attitudes are altered; our thoughts are adjusted; our actions are improved; our lives are blessed with spiritual abundance.

That’s why God shares his Word. That’s what God desires to accomplish. That’s the purpose for which God sends it out. To water souls so they produce a rich harvest of faith and fruit! So soak up as much spiritual moisture as you can!

What a blessing when rain falls and waters the land. But the greater blessing is when God’s truth nourishes hearts, and lovely faith flowers burst forth!

As Moses exclaimed jubilantly shortly before he died: “Listen, you heavens, and I will speak; hear, you earth, the words of my mouth. Let my teaching fall like rain and my words descend like dew, like showers on new grass, like abundant rain on tender plants. I will proclaim the name of the LORD. Oh, praise the greatness of our God! He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he” (Deuteronomy 32:1-4).

Praise God for the rain! For the physical, but especially for the spiritual!

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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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Not Asking for Much

Not Asking for Much

“Lord, give me answers, and give them to me NOW!”

I know that’s not the way the expression goes.  But it seems to me that “answers” could definitely be substituted for “patience.”  We may actually be more insistent on getting answers than gaining patience.  In fact, we are typically extremely impatient when we don’t have the answers we seek.

I’m not referring to doctrinal or theological answers.  My observation is that most Christians active in their churches are comfortable with most of the tenets of their congregation and/or church body.  The Bible is quite straightforward and clear.  If one knows the Book, they also know the true God and the truths He shares. 

It’s generally not God’s essence and divine characteristics that trip up believers. Nor is it matters such as morality, conversion, redemption, forgiveness, providence and salvation that causes God’s devout people issues.  Even those areas where God’s Word doesn’t provide more specifics don’t usually cause us problems. Nor do we typically obsess about the distant future.

Rather, it’s the uncertainty of tomorrow! 

It’s all the immediate unanswered questions that plague our lives.  What will happen in this situation?  What will he or she or they do?  What should I do?  What should I say?  How will this huge unresolved unknown play out?  And when?  Where will things stand in a week?

“Lord, I’m not asking for much.  Just give me the answers.  And give them to me NOW!  Then I can finally find peace.”

No, friend!  The path to true peace is not found in answers to the immediate dilemmas.  It’s found in the faithfulness of our good and loving God!

This is precisely what Jesus told his disciples and what he tells us: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives [which cannot provide true peace!]. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” (John 14:27).

Keep in mind that when Jesus spoke these words, it was the very day he would be taken away by the mob.  It was a highly emotional time when the disciples had multiple and significant unanswered questions.  The Lord had been preparing them for his suffering, death and departure, and the eleven had no idea how this could be or what this meant for them. 

So Jesus showed them the source of peace; “my peace I give you.”

Not that the apostles understood this truth at that moment or were able to apply it properly.  Nevertheless, Jesus gave them the key.  The Answer to the unanswered questions is … Jesus!  That is, trusting Jesus to take care of the uncertainties in their lives and their future. 

And Jesus is the Answer to our unanswered questions too!

Most Christians will verbally acknowledge this as truth.  However, saying something doesn’t automatically mean believing something.  There is often a disconnect between words and actions.  Especially in regard to trusting the Lord.  And especially when there is so much uncertainty in our lives!

Our approach to the unknown is typically similar to Thomas (whom we typically castigate for doubting that the Lord was risen!) … “I’ll believe it when I see it.”

But that’s not believing at all!  That’s merely documenting the visible and physical facts.  The Bible defines faith (trust!) in this way: “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do NOT see” (Hebrews 11:1).

Having confidence and assurance that the Lord will work out the details of our tomorrows is extremely challenging for us who want tomorrow’s details today.  (Which we maintain would give us peace, but it wouldn’t because there will always be more uncertainties on the horizon!)

Again, peace will only be experienced regarding our life questions when we trust Jesus, the Answer, to provide them.  The more we trust Him, the more peace we have!  Regardless of the number or immensity of our unanswered questions.

It’s no accident that the Holy Spirit gives us this encouragement through Peter: “Cast all your anxiety on [the Lord] because he cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7).  The illustration is striking!  The act of casting something causes it to leave our person.  And the heavy and burdensome item God urges us to cast upon him … the almighty, all-knowing and loving Lord … is our anxiety!  Because when we do, the burden is lost and peace is found.

Is this easy?  No.  Is it necessary?  Yes.  Is it beneficial to our frame of mind and our view of the future?  Absolutely!

The degree of difficulty in doing this, and the blessings in doing so, are attested to by the incredible volume of passages in the Scriptures which urge us to trust in the Lord.  So give your unanswered questions to God … and don’t take them back again!  He can (and will!) handle the uncertainties much better than us, because there are no uncertainties for him, and there is nothing beyond his capabilities to handle.

As the father of the demon-possessed boy said to Jesus when asking him to free his son, so say we: “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24).  Because the more we trust our Savior, the more we will find ourselves freed as well.

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (Romans 15:13).  “May the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way.  The Lord be with all of you” (2 Thessalonians 3:16).

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

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 37 – selected
3 Trust in the Lord …. 4 Take delight in the Lord,  and he will give you the desires of your heart. 5 Commit your way to the Lord;  trust in him and he will do this … 7 Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him;

Joshua 1:9
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

 Romans 8:28 & 32
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him … He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?

Ephesians 3:20-21
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

How to Interact on This Blog

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

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

Desperately Searching

Desperately Searching

It’s really not all that extreme.  I only check 30 or 40 times a day. 

Because she knows I love to watch the birds, my kind wife bought me a brand new, deluxe-model bird feeder for our new yard.  (That’s it in the cover photo.)  I finally managed to get it hung in what seems to be an ideal spot – between our house and the lake, with a great view of it from most of the large windows on that side of the house.

At least it’s an ideal location for the occupants of our house.  Not sure yet about the birds.

Winged visitors so far have been scarce.  This is both surprising and concerning.  Prior experience tells me that within a half-day, birds are typically gorging themselves on their new-found food supply. 

And it’s not like there aren’t birds around this area!  Their varied songs are almost constantly filling the air; their darting flights frequently catching one’s attention.  In fact, with the more rural setting here, we live in a bird-rich environment.

Yet, my new feeder full of fresh birdseed hangs from its new shepherd’s pole – largely ignored.

Undoubtedly a large factor is that both our neighbors immediately to the west also have birdfeeders, and they seem to keep them stocked.  Those are the two that I know feed the fowl; likely in this quiet part of the Midwest, many others near us do as well.  The neighborhood birdies have been hitting those smorgasbords for some time now.  Why leave a good and reliable food source?

In Tacoma, we were the only feeders on the block.  We had no competition!

Nevertheless, by sheer volume of the local avian residents around us now, it would seem that there would still be a need for feed, and/or some would be eager for a new source of goodies.  That doesn’t seem to be the case.

I know, because I take a look-see about 30 or 40 times a day.

With the seeming lack of interest by the local winged population, I even researched best places to put feeders.  In the open to provide sunshine and good visibility for the birds?  Check.   Away from trees where squirrels can easily access and cats can easily prey?  Check.  Close enough to trees and shrubs so birds can take cover if needed?  Check. 

Or at least I think these points are all covered.  But perhaps it is a bit too exposed?  The experts tried to reassure me that sometimes it takes a while for the birds to find the feeder.  But it’s never taken this long before!

Of course, we have had a little action.

Not surprisingly, the first to notice the new feeder was a squirrel.  He sat on his back haunches and looked longingly for the longest time at the stockpile above.  Then I watched him try to shimmy up the metal pole.  He didn’t make it the first time and gave up.  But he must have returned for a second try and managed, because I caught him in the feeder later.  (At least, I assume it was the same perpetrator.)  Now there is a squirrel “baffle” on the pole.  (Yes, I know.  I should have installed one from the start!)

The first visitor of the winged variety that I witnessed was a blue-headed grackle.  Not what I was hoping for, but progress.  The second visitor was a goldfinch.  That was exciting!  Both have returned.  The grackle brought a friend.  I’ve also had a few mourning doves pecking below the feeder. 

But not a single sparrow, finch, chickadee, or any other usual denizens for the birdseed dole … the species who usually hit the feeders hard.  At least none that I’ve spotted in my repeated and increasingly desperate checks.

Then yesterday, the Lord convicted me.  The thought suddenly struck me – what if I searched the Scriptures as often and eagerly as I search for birds on my new feeder?

Yikes!  Thanks, Lord.  Sorry, Lord. 

And it’s been a particularly trying week.  While I’m in my Bible daily, yet I didn’t dig into my Bible any more than I usually do … even under duress.  I scoped out the feeder 30 or 40 times a day, but I didn’t cast my eyes into God’s Word even a few extra times than normal.  (Though I certainly prayed a lot more!)

I’m embarrassed by this.  (Not about the praying, but about not searching the Scriptures more.)  Feeding my soul is far more critical than any feeding birds … no matter the number or the type. 

Yes, watching the birds provides me with a simple joy.  Yet reading my Savior’s messages to me provides joy … and hope … and insights … and strength … and comfort … and confidence … and so much more!

“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).

Maybe seeing the birds peck up their meals isn’t your thing.  (And it’s not my only “thing;” I have many more!)  Nevertheless, I’m pretty confident you have other diversions that “demand” your attention and distract you from digging into God’s truths more regularly as well.

Spiritually and even logically, we probably recognize how easily we are sidetracked from the Word.  And we also probably recognize what we are missing out on when we do.  But still we neglect it!  Far too easily and often!

I can’t tell you what to do.  But I can tell you what I will do.  I’ll undoubtedly still search for birds at the feeder multiple times a day.  I’ll also search the Scriptures more every day!  Because what I see there is food for my soul.

“When your words came, I ate them;  they were my joy and my heart’s delight, for I bear your name,  Lord God Almighty” (Jeremiah 15:16).  “How sweet are your words to my taste,  sweeter than honey to my mouth!”  (Psalm 119:103).

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

Isaiah 55:10-12
As the rain and the snow  come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish,  so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater so is my word that goes out from my mouth:  It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire  and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.  You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace …

2 Timothy 3:14-17
But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.  All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

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