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Got Enough Stuff?

Got Enough Stuff?

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I was chatting with the copier repair tech in my church office when a loud knocking sounded on the door frame and a tall, elderly stranger stepped into view.  Usually when non-members stop in at church, they either want to sell me something, or they want me to give them something. 

But not this gentleman.  He wanted to give me something.

Turns out he was working through the personal effects of a deceased relative who had been a Lutheran pastor, and there were several containers containing some of his pastoral books. The relative wasn’t comfortable with simply throwing them away and asked if we might be able to make use of them or find good homes for them.   I said, “Sure!” and thanked him for the generous offer. 

It took me a few weeks before I could tackle the containers, but I finally dove into them.  Inside were Bibles, hymnals, worship service planning and reference books, and theological books.  There were also some lovely Christian knick-knacks that now reside on my church office shelves.

Most striking though were the well-used Bibles and hymnals carrying the personal inscriptions of the names of the pastor and his wife on the front covers.  Also found in the containers were documents of some of his pastoral installations and pictorial directories of congregations he had served.

These all were articles that carried either sentimental or practical value for a former pastor.  Yet there came a time when a stranger was going through them.  Furthermore, one of the containers was a cardboard box which had been exposed to water, and most of the books inside had sustained severe water damage.

Consequently, much of what was once valued by an individual had to be discarded.  Though I never knew the man, I still found it rather sad.  If you’ve ever had to process a loved one’s possessions after their passing, you’ve experienced a similar situation and sentiments … only undoubtedly magnified due to your connection with them. 

We have so much stuff!  Every single one of us has … so … much … stuff!

When my wife and I moved a few years ago, we got rid of a LOT of things.  But after all our “purging,” we still had a LOT!  Since we’ve moved into our new home, we’ve accumulated even more.

We all are abundantly blessed by our God – certainly spiritually, but also materially.  Simply living in the United States positions people for prosperity.  Consequently, most have a pile of possessions.

If you doubt this, consider the booming storage business in our country.  The United States has more than 52,000 storage facilities containing over 2.1 million individual self-storage units.  (And more are always being built!)  The estimated rentable storage of all those facilities equals 2.1 billion square feet. 

Why all that space?  Because 1 in 10 households rent storage.  And that doesn’t include the stuff crammed into our closets, attics, spare rooms, garages, sheds, or barns.

Yup, we have a LOT of stuff!

The wild thing about this is that we can’t take any of it with us!  Everyone acknowledges this truth, yet it seems to dissuade few from accumulating more.

The simple truth is that one day after we are gone someone will be wading through our ocean of possessions, having to make difficult decisions about what to do with them … and it won’t matter even one bit to us.

What will matter after the Lord calls us out of this world is NOT how much stuff we have piled up in our lives, but what is (or isn’t!) in our soul.

Jesus specifically addressed this matter with these powerful, thought-provoking and sobering 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).

That’s quite a contrast: “The whole world” versus one’s “soul.”  To state it another way, it’s the physical versus the spiritual.  As physical creatures in a physical world, the physical is powerfully attractive.  But Jesus reminds us that the true treasure is the spiritual … faith in our Savior in our souls.

As Jesus stated so clearly to Martha after her brother, Lazarus, had died, “I am the resurrection and the life.  The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die.” (John 11:25-26).

As Christians, we recognize what should be our proper priorities (the Lord, his word, and our souls), yet “life” so easily and often distracts us with things that, in the end, really don’t matter.  In the end, the only thing that will matter is that we transition from life to Life.  That is, from life in this physical world to eternal Life in heaven with our Savior. 

And the only way that happens is if there is life (faith in Jesus!) in our souls.

That spiritual life in our souls is created and nurtured through the living, powerful, and life-changing word of God.  The Gospel is the good stuff. 

No.  More than that.  The gospel is the greatest stuff of all in this world because the Holy Spirit uses it to lead sinners to salvation in the next world.

Which means that, regardless of how much or little physical stuff you own, if you have saving faith in your soul, you have more than enough!

So, if you are inclined, certainly keep, store and treasure your physical stuff.  But never lose sight of your greatest treasure – the only one that really matters when you die and the only possession you can take with you – that is, faith in your Savior in your soul.  Do everything possible to ensure that treasure is always safely stored and actively cared for.

As Jesus himself urges, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.  But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.  For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:19-21)

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Philippians 3:7-9
But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ.  What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith.

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Eating – Boldly and Eagerly!

Eating – Boldly and Eagerly!

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As many years as a person may live, every now and then the Lord still allows us to experience new things!  And this was certainly a first for me.

A few weeks ago on this very blog I shared how the birds around our place, after cleaning out the birdfeeder, wait and watch for me to refill it. That very scenario rose to new heights at my last refilling.

While I was prepping the feeder for a new supply, I had a plastic, gallon-sized ice cream container filled with seed resting on the ground just a few feet away.  To my utter astonishment, a white-breasted nuthatch landed on the rim of the container and proceeded to pluck out a seed. 

And it wasn’t a snatch and dash scenario, as one might expect.  It took its sweet time, picked up a seed in its beak, and was completely content to perch there while I loomed over it.  Only when I stated, “Aren’t you a bold one,” did it decide to take flight.

It’s not unusual for birds to begin to swoop in towards the feeder while I’m there.  But the usual response, once they recognize I’m present, is to make a rapid and extreme adjustment in flight and divert to a nearby tree. 

Not this nuthatch.  It saw readily available food, and it was eager to eat it!  So eager that it boldly settled down on the feed container before I even had the opportunity to transfer it to the feeder, and began helping itself.  Meanwhile, I’m only steps away!

My immediate thought was, “How cool is that!”  It was followed almost immediately with, “If only we were as eager to eat up God’s word as that nuthatch is to eat seeds!”

The Lord uses this very metaphor in his Scriptures, often describing God’s word as a necessary and delicious “food” to devour.  It’s necessary because it feeds the faith in our souls; it’s delicious because it strengthens our relationship with our Lord, filling us with joy and peace.

As Moses informed the Israelites: “… man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.” (Deuteronomy 8:3).  You’ll undoubtedly remember that Jesus quoted these very words when Satan tempted him to create physical food while Jesus was fasting in the desert.

The words of God are not only necessary for the soul, but delicious and delightful.  (Yes, even when they point out our sin, because they also point out our Savior from sin!)  The psalmist states, “How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!” (Psalm 119:103).  And the prophet agrees! “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). 

The concept of feeding our souls through Scripture carries over into the New Testament as well.  Including from the Savior himself, who said, “ Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you.” (John 6:27).

Or, in the words of Peter, “Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.” (1 Peter 2:2-3).

I wonder if we don’t sometimes regard our time in God’s word as “snacking.”  We nibble on it now and then when it appeals to us.

Or perhaps we think of it more as an obligation.  “We have to eat something,” so we try to arrange for a meal now and then on a Sunday morning … if there isn’t something that sounds more “appetizing” that day.

But those are NOT the pictures God gives us in the Bible!

Rather, the word of God shows us that the words of God are life sustaining and strengthening – spiritually speaking.  They are enduring.  They are also “sweet,” therefore they bring joy and delight to our hearts.

So God’s people want to devour God’s words eagerly, often, and boldly (resolutely).  Like a certain nuthatch in my front yard does with safflower seed.

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A Danger Unknown

A Danger Unknown

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I had absolutely no idea.

For my entire life I was blissfully ignorant of the truth.  Then one day recently I was reading a devotional written by an outdoor enthusiast who happens to live in Michigan, and he mentioned encountering a rattlesnake in the state.  I immediately began to question his credibility.  But to make sure I was right, and out of an abundance of curiosity, I did some research.

And there ARE rattlesnakes in Michigan! 

The formal name of these venomous reptiles is “eastern massasauga rattlesnake.”  A medium-sized snake, adults can stretch from 18 to 30 inches.  They typically inhabit wetland environments, though they will sometimes move into higher upland areas in the summer.

It’s not surprising perhaps that I was unaware of their presence.  The massasaugas are timid and secretive, and most residents of the state have never seen one.  (Even many of those who spend a great deal of time in nature.)  The snakes prefer to hide by remaining motionless under vegetation or woody debris.  Their coloration serves as highly effective camouflage. 

Furthermore, they aren’t commonly encountered because their numbers have been steadily declining across their range.  (They inhabit parts of all the other Great Lakes states and provinces as well.)  Loss of habitat, fragmentation of the population, persecution, and illegal collection being the primary factors.  Because of their drastically decreasing numbers, massasaugas have some level of official protection in many of the states in its range. Michigan’s Lower Peninsula  seems to hold the greatest number of these rattlers, so the state is integral in its well-being. 

The eastern rattlers feed primarily on small mammals, but they will also eat frogs and other snakes, and occasionally even birds.  In regard to their diet, they are opportunistic.

Though classified as non-aggressive, they will on rare occasions strike humans.  Approximately 16 people are treated per year for massasauga bites.  Even though their venom is highly toxic, human fatalities fortunately are rare due to their shorter fangs.

Their “rattle” is reportedly more of a “buzz.”  It’s been likened to a bumblebee stuck in a spider web.  Sometimes they “buzz” before striking at humans; sometimes they don’t.

Talk about a danger unknown!  I’ve been completely oblivious to the presence of a rattlesnake in my home state!  I wonder how many I’ve walked by in my forays in the woods, or perhaps especially at the marshy wildlife refuge I used to work at while going to college and the seminary.  

I naively believed there were no venomous snakes to threaten my safety.  And while the risk was obviously low, it was still present … and it was definitely unknown.  At least to me!

Turning from the physical to the spiritual, I can’t help but wonder how many people have no idea that there is another “snake” who threatens everyone’s well-being.  Some are completely oblivious to the danger.  But even Christians who are aware tend to downplay the risk.

Consider these fascinating – but also sobering! – words from Revelation regarding the spiritual viper named Satan:

7 Then war broke out in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back. 8 But he was not strong enough, and they lost their place in heaven. 9 The great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray.  He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him. 10 Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say … 12  “Woe to the earth and the sea, because the devil has gone down to you!  He is filled with fury, because he knows that his time is short.”  (Revelation 12)

“That ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray” is similar to the eastern massasauga rattler in that he likes to stay hidden.  He loves to wreak havoc from the shadows.  Sometimes he teases people with some buzzing; but often he strikes suddenly and silently to unleash his toxic venom into their hearts and lives.

Satan is also radically different than the non-aggressive massasauga in that the devil is extremely aggressive.  “He is filled with fury, because he knows that his time [before Jesus returns] is short.”  He will stalk believers’ souls relentlessly; he will never, ever give up the attack until souls are removed from his reach through death.

Most alarming, he knows exactly which methods, temptations, and assaults will be the most alluring and effective … AND he perceives the most advantageous times to “strike.”

Is it surprising therefore that Paul would share this concern with the Corinthian believers?  “But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ.”  (2 Corinthians 11:3).

The apostle recognized the risk!  But he also recognized where safety was found.

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. (Ephesians 6:10-13).

If you read the verses that follow, Paul describes the spiritual armor we are to wear quite extensively.  But the voice from heaven in Revelation 12 summarizes it magnificently with these words: “The [believers] triumphed over [the ancient serpent who was hurled to earth] by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony.” (Revelation 12:11).

In other words, Satan may lurk and hide and scheme and strike … but the Lord Jesus shed his holy blood so Satan would be defeated and we would be redeemed and victorious.  And that his what he is … and that is what we are!  Thanks be to Jesus!  Furthermore, God’s Word which tells us God’s truths is far more powerful than Satan’s lies.

Nevertheless, do not let Satan the snake be a danger unknown, unnoticed or ignored.  He is a powerful and treacherous enemy.  Recognize him and his diabolical ways … and his ultimate goal of pulling us away from God.

But even more important, recognize your victorious Savior …  and the safety and salvation he provides us.  As the Lord promised Eve, Jesus did indeed “crush the devil’s head” (Gen. 3:15) at his crucifixion.  His resurrection three days later was the ultimate triumph – a triumph for Jesus, and a triumph for us.

The key to our safety is staying close to our Savior.  The more we are immersed in God’s Word, the more Satan will hate us and attack us … but the more alert and aware we will be, and the more shielded we will be!  As the Lord himself states, “You triumph over [the serpent] by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of testimony.” (Revelation 12:11). 

So be watching for the Snake.  But even more importantly, keep your eyes on Jesus, our Victor!

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!

Don’t Miss the Commas!

Don’t Miss the Commas!

Whether a person happens to be a grammar geek or not, commas are important.  In fact, sometimes they are more than just important; they are crucial!

Consider these examples:

No comma:  I’m sorry I love you.
With comma:  I’m sorry, I love you.

No comma:  He told me I’m a fool.
With comma:  He told me, I’m a fool.

No comma:  Slow children at play.
With comma:  Slow, children at play.

No comma:  We’re going to learn how to cut and paste kids.
With comma:  We’re going to learn how to cut and paste, kids.

No comma:  Let’s eat Grandma.
With comma:  Let’s eat, Grandma.

No commas:  I find inspiration in cooking my family and my dog.
With commas:  I find inspiration in cooking, my family, and my dog.

No comma:  A woman without her man is nothing.
With punctuation and comma:  A woman: without her, man is nothing.

Commas are significant!  Omit one when writing … or miss one when reading … and an entirely different message can emerge.  At best, confusion can be caused; at worst, offense can be caused or wrong information can be passed along. 

Think about the drastically different theology the next sentences convey:

No comma:  Jesus died for you as sinful as you are.
With comma:  Jesus died for you, as sinful as you are.

No comma:  God truly loves you not a bit – endlessly and forever.
With comma:  God truly loves you, not a bit – endlessly and forever.

We need pauses in our words to share the message we want to share – to get it right.  Lack of appropriate pauses causes issues.

The same is true in our lives.  Sometimes pauses are not only desirable; they are necessary.

Obviously, our bodies can’t be taxed indefinitely.  Sooner or later, we need a physical rest.  It’s why we stop, rest, eat and sleep. 

Mental breaks are also crucial, or focus fades and mistakes are made. 

Ditto for our emotions, which can be distracted, disrupted and even devastated by emotional storms.  Perhaps even more important than physical and mental breaks, our emotions need some “sunny days” now and then – times of calm and peace.

The loving Lord who created us knows how important pauses are in our lives.  Therefore, it shouldn’t be shocking that he set aside the Sabbath Day for Old Testament Israel.  As he told the people through Moses:

Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God.  On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your male or female servant, nor your animals, nor any foreigner residing in your towns.  For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.  (Exodus 20:9-11)

Saturday, the seventh day, was to be a day of rest – physical, mental, and emotional rest – for God’s people.  But here was the key: the Sabbath Day was, first and foremost, a day of spiritual rest. 

God told his people, “There are six days when you may work, but the seventh day is a day of sabbath rest, a day of sacred assembly.  You are not to do any work; wherever you live, it is a sabbath to the Lord” (Leviticus 23:3).

In other words, God told them to take a day to rest their bodies, minds and emotions from the rigors of life … AND to immerse themselves in the ultimate spiritual rest that God brings.  It was a day to worship the Lord and to be in his Scriptures.  God knew that the ultimate pause the people needed in their lives was rest for their souls.

Nothing has changed!  The ultimate pause WE need in OUR lives is rest for OUR souls!  When our souls are at rest in the Lord, then our bodies, minds and emotions also prosper.

The New Testament makes it clear we are no longer obligated to literally observe the Sabbath Day by physically resting on Saturdays.  The Sabbath and the Old Testament ceremonies were “a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ” (Col. 2:16-17).

In other words, in these New Testament times we find rest for our souls in our Savior.  Jesus himself made this clear.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” (Matthew 11:28-29).

The writer to the New Testament Jewish believers was inspired by the Holy Spirit to explain it this way:

There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his.  Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest … (Hebrews 4:9-11).

And then in the very next verse he shares how we enter that rest!

For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12).

We are no longer obligated to observe the Sabbath Day literally.  But we are still commanded / urged / begged by the Lord to be in his living and active Word regularly … in worship services, Bible studies, personal devotions, and Christian music.  Because that’s the way the Holy Spirit works in us and brings us spiritual rest.

So definitely pause.  Pause in your days to appreciate your loved ones and your many “little” blessings – to “smell the flowers,” as the expression goes.  Pause from your labors daily and weekly to rest your body, mind and emotions.  Pause in your annual schedules for vacations. 

But the Lord gives us this most crucial advice of all: “Be still, and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10). That is, pause often to focus on the Lord through his Word, and let the Lord bring rest to your soul through Jesus, your Savior. 

Commas in sentences are extremely important.  But “commas” (pauses) in our lives, and especially for our souls, are even more important.

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Psalm 46 (selected)
1 God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. 2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, 3 though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. … 7 The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.

10 He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” 11 The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.

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!

Disconnected ?!?!

Disconnected ?!?!

After the privilege (and pressure) of leading Holy Week and Easter Sunday services for two congregations, I was looking forward to a relatively quiet Monday following Easter.  But then I looked out one of our back windows and noticed the floating portion of our dock was twisted sideways and barely hanging on!  (See the picture above.)

Which precipitated an immediate change of plans.  Especially since the forecast called for high winds later that day.  Either I reconnected the end of our dock or I would undoubtedly be retrieving it from the far end of the lake! 

The dock is rather old, and I had been monitoring the attachments for a while now.  I knew I would need to add a new 2 X 8 board for extra support, as well as new eye bolts.  It was a project for the near future.  But on Easter Monday, the “near future” suddenly became “immediately.”

As the snow fell and the wind began to pick up, I tied the floating portion of the dock to the anchored walkway.  The old and bent eye bolts were removed, a new front panel was installed, and new bolts were screwed into place.  (Amazingly, I only dropped one of my tools into the lake.  Fortunately, the water was shallow enough for it to be retrieved with a garden rake.)  Finally, I reattached the quick links to the eye bolts, and the end of our dock was safely reconnected.

Paddling our kayak to rescue our beached dock somewhere on the lake shore would have certainly been … interesting.  But that wasn’t even the worst outcome that could have occurred.  If the wind was fierce enough and blowing to the east, it could have potentially blown our dock over the spillway of the dam at the end of the lake, and then down the river below.  If that had happened, I may not have been able to retrieve it all!  Even if the dock managed to survive the fall.

Becoming disconnected would have led to drastic and perhaps dire ramifications for our little but dearly loved dock.

Connections are important.  And especially our connection to our Savior!  Becoming disconnected from Him leads to drastic and perhaps dire ramifications to our well-being – both now and forever.

Jesus himself makes this clear. 

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.  If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.” (John 15:5-6).

We wither when we lose connection to the living Lord – when we become distracted and distant from the source of spiritual life.  Without Jesus, the searing heat of stresses and the drought of difficulties in our lives sap the life from us.  Or, to mix our metaphors, when we become unmoored from the Savior, we float away and careen toward calamity.

It’s no accident that the concept of remaining anchored in … attached to! … the Lord permeates the Scriptures. 

David sang about the unmovable force that is the Lord after he delivered David from Saul’s attempt to kill him.  As we read his words, we can’t help but recognize how desperately David clung to his God during those difficult days.

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

Jesus referred to the same concept of God and God’s Word being an unshakable foundation to which the wise are attached:

“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.  The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.”  (Matthew 7:24-25).

If we are to stand through the fierce storms of this world, (and none of us avoid those storms!), it is crucial that we remain connected to the ultimate foundation of our Savior. 

Choose whichever illustration you prefer … the living Vine, the unmovable Rock, the impregnable Fortress, the ultimate Stronghold … the point is the same: we need to stay connected to Him.  Why?  Because the Lord is our spiritual Sustanence, our Strength, our Deliverer, our Refuge, our Shield and our Salvation!

Unplug any rechargeable do-dad … a phone, a speaker, a tool, etc. … and it will operate for a while.  But while operating, the charge is slowly draining.  Eventually the power is gone.

It’s the same with our souls!

We must be plugged in to the Lord and his Word to be spiritually recharged, and to stay charged. 

“… The gospel … is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes” (Romans 1:16).  The Holy Spirit “powers” us through the “living, active, and penetrating” word of God.  (Hebrews 4:12).

As a pastor, I know this to be true.  I have seen this play out, both negatively and positively, among God’s people. 

Those who neglect reading and hearing God’s Word slowly but surely lose their spiritual power and become more-and-more disconnected from their God.  Their spiritual lights dim, and tragically, sometimes go out altogether.

On the other hand, those who actively read and hear God’s Word become stronger-and-stronger spiritually and more-and-more connected to their God.  They almost glow with spiritual light and life; they thrive in their connection to Jesus, the Vine.

It’s a striking contrast. 

Faith is dynamic; it is always changing.  Either it is growing stronger through our connection with the Lord and his Word, or it is growing weaker through disconnection.

I know which of the two I want happening in me!

Thankfully, our dock is reconnected and anchored.  But much more importantly, may every one of us remain connected and anchored in our loving Lord.

There is no better or safer place to be than close to our Savior … clinging to him as he clings to us, and as he fills us with life, joy and security!

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

Hebrews 10:22-25
Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.  Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.

 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

Acts 2:42  (A description of the early Christian church)
They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

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We’re Being “Auto-Corrected”

We’re Being “Auto-Corrected”

Usually it’s a fairly nice feature.  You happen to misspell a word in a text and your phone takes it upon itself to right (write!) your wrong.  This can save you from embarrassing yourself.

Then again, your phone can auto-correct your words and embarrass you even more!

Here’s one example I found online: 

Texter one (the father):  “Your mom and I are going to divorce next month.”

Texter two (a grown child):  “What???  Why?  Call me, please!”

Texter one (the father):  “I wrote Disney and this phone changed it.  We are going to Disney.”

That was a tame example.  There were many more where auto-correct provided an outlandish, preposterous, inappropriate and/or even offensive reply.  Highly embarrassing indeed!

I’m fairly confident that, unless you are extremely careful and take the time to painstakingly reread your texts before sending, you have sent messages with messages you didn’t mean to send! 

And the mess-ups weren’t mess-up of your own doing; they were inserted into your texts by “auto-correct.”  Which was actually an “auto-INcorrect.”

It’s nothing personal.  It’s simply Artificial Intelligence demonstrating a remarkable LACK of intelligence.  It thinks it knows best … but it doesn’t always.

Have you ever considered that we are surrounded by a culture that is constantly attempting to “auto-correct” our beliefs, morals and actions?  Sometimes the pressure is subtle; often it is blatant.  Always it is present.

Yes, it is perhaps especially impactful to our teenagers and college students.  And especially those on secular campuses. 

But make no mistake about it – it impacts all of us!  We clash with “auto-correct” through our coworkers, our neighbors, our friends … even our family members sometimes.

Furthermore, it impacts virtually every aspect of our lives!  If you doubt this, you are either blissfully naïve or ensconced in denial.

Society’s “auto-correct” list is literally endless.  Sexual propriety and acceptable speech are just two obvious examples of moral issues that society’s “auto-correct” attempts to define.  There are many more.

“Auto-correct” is extremely influential in promoting what our peers deem to be “significant values” and “proper priorities.”  These are often radically different than what our Lord tells us.

Then there is the matter of absolute truth and where (and whether!) it can truly be found.  The common consensus is that truth is subjective (up to each individual) – not objective (non-negotiable).  Scripture presents a totally different perspective.

Think about it just a little and it’s clear; we are bombarded by “auto-correct” in our lives.  Even more so than in our documents and texts!  Sadly, the world’s “auto-correct” is actually usually “auto-INcorrect.”

The Apostle Paul’s words are as every bit as significant today as they were 2,000 years ago.  They are words we would do well to take to heart.

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.  Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.  Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. (Romans 12:1-2).

When the Holy Spirit is transforming us through God’s Word, and renewing our hearts and minds through God’s truth … well, that is the perfect “auto-correct!”  It’s a correction that we can be confident is actually and absolutely correct!

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

Matthew 5:13-16 (the words of Jesus)
“You are the salt of the earth.  But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again?  It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.”

“You are the light of the world.  A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.  Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl.  Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.  In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”

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The Weather Forecast is … ?

The Weather Forecast is … ?

It’s not all that unusual.  Undoubtedly, you’ve experienced it yourself.  But it’s still rather … weird.

The other day I was driving home on the freeway with my wipers swinging to clear the raindrops from the windshield … while just a few miles ahead beamed bright, blue skies. 

“That’s Michigan for you,” the locals will say.  Nevertheless, it’s disconcerting to be navigating a rain shower while having to reach for one’s sunglasses.

And isn’t that rather like life?

There are almost always dark clouds and rain drops hovering over us.  Meanwhile, there are also always blue skies – blessings! – to be seen if one only takes the time to look.

With our sin-infected lives existing in this sin-permeated world … “bad weather” of some kind is a constant.  Yet, as God’s children richly loved and abundantly blessed by Him … Son-shine is also always present.

The storm clouds may dominate our view at times, but they cannot stifle the brightness of God’s love, goodness and faithfulness.  Both are constants; it’s just a matter of degree.  Sometimes it seems as if the storms dominate; sometimes we rejoice in predominately beautiful blue skies.

Yes, it’s weird.  And both unfortunate and fortunate too.  But it’s the reality of life in a broken world. 

Yet, our God is working – always working – though we may struggle to understand his ways. (Isaiah 55:8-9).  We may sometimes wonder why certain downpours are occurring.  Nevertheless, the Lord has his own holy and perfect reasons.  And he doesn’t owe us an explanation.

God makes it clear.  “I am the Lord, and there is no other.  I form the light and create darkness, I bring prosperity and create disaster; I, the Lord, do all these things” (Isaiah 45:6-7).

Jesus himself said, “Your Father in heaven … causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous” (Matthew 5:44).

This is true, both literally and metaphorically.  Of course, we have no issue with the sunshine in our lives.  But we could do with less storms.  Which may cause us to wonder, “Why doesn’t the Lord cut us, his believers, a break?”

The Bible is packed with insight on this very thing.  Believe it or not, our struggles may be God’s greatest blessings to us! 

Besides the fact that sin negatively impacts everything in this world, here are just a few reasons why our loving Heavenly Father allows “bad weather” to affect his children’s lives:

Our Heavenly Father is disciplining us as children he loves

Hebrews 12:7&11 – Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children.  For what children are not disciplined by their father? …  No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful.  Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.

God is using our struggles to build our spiritual character …

Romans 5:3-5 – Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.  And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.

… And refine our faith …

1 Peter 1:6-7 – 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. 

… And make us spiritually stronger and more firmly anchored

1 Peter 5:10 – And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.

The Heavenly Father knows that hardships move his children to turn to his Word and cling to his promises …

Psalm 119:67, 71 – Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I obey your word.  … It was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn your decrees.

… And rely upon his holy Son, Jesus

John 16:33 – [Jesus said,] “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace.  In this world you will have trouble.  But take heart!  I have overcome the world.”

After God has comforted us in our troubles, we are able to comfort others

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 – Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. 

The Lord knows that earthly storms make us long for the peace of our heavenly home

Romans 8:18 – I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.

The Father allows storms to come to his children so he can deliver them …

Psalm 34:19 – The righteous person may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all;

… If not in this life, then ultimately in the life to come

James 1:12 – Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.

Black storm clouds and blue skies simultaneously?  That’s life in this world for Christians.  But we do not despair, for our God gives us some wonderful, all encompassing promises that give us confidence.

The Apostle Paul reminds us that “… in all things God works for the good of those who love him …” (Romans 8:28).  And our Heavenly Father himself assures us, ‘“I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future’” (Jeremiah 29:11).

So yes, there are always some “storms” in our lives.  But the blue skies of God’s love are also always present, which makes the nasty “weather” much more bearable.

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

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

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Blessings through the “Quiet”

Blessings through the “Quiet”

The fishing experience wasn’t ideal that evening.

It wasn’t because I didn’t catch any fish.  (I did.)  And it wasn’t because the view was lousy.  (It was as lovely as always.)  Nor was it due to the heat or humidity.  (The comfort level was actually wonderful.)

Rather, I struggled to fully enjoy the experience due to the roar hammering across the lake.

The lake we live on, (Shamrock Lake), is being dredged.  We thought the dredging process was completed last year, but apparently they are wrapping it up this summer.  Which means there are large dredging pipes floating on the surface, and the nearly unending bellowing of the large dredging boat.  (The company works day and night when in full swing.)

The dredger sounds like a semi-truck laboring up a mountain pass at full throttle – but at three times the volume.  Even at a distance, the roar rolls belligerently across the water.  Unfortunately, it’s almost impossible to ignore.

Normally, evenings fishing off our dock are peaceful and relaxing; the sounds normal, nature-based and soothing.  The shriek of an osprey or eagle.  The quacks of ducks and the honking of geese as they fly in and splash to a rest on the water.  The good-night birdcalls as they settle into their resting places after another day.  A muskrat swimming quietly to his feeding spot.  Bullfrogs bellowing their unique call.  The splash of fish feeding aggressively on the surface.

But that evening, I could hear none of it.  Just the blaring of a very large motor sucking up the silt that had settled on the bottom of our lake.

I do understand that the process will produce a better lake for us to enjoy.  But if only it could be done quietly!

Sitting there that evening, missing the blessings of the quiet, it occurred to me that the world produces a prodigious amount of “roaring” that is also difficult to ignore.  The opinions of influential and “highly knowledgeable” people, the overabundance of information on the world-wide web, and the nearly constant audio input from our phones, radios and televisions (which we ourselves typically opt to listen to!) can create a lot of “noise.”

Sometimes we need to quietly soak in the peaceful voice of our God.

Where is it that our Good Shepherd “refreshes [our] souls?”  David was inspired to write that it is when we are “lying down in green pastures” and when we are “beside quiet waters.”  (Ps. 23:2-3).  In other words, in peaceful places where there are soothing sounds!  Namely, where we hear our Good Shepherd’s voice, and his alone.

Another psalmist was inspired to write these words: “[The Lord] says, ‘Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.’   The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress” (Psalm 46:10-11).

The prophet Jeremiah encourages the same approach: “The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord” (Lamentations 3:25-26).

The quiet voice of our Savior informs us that he is real, that he really loves us, that he forgives us and that he has saved us.  It reminds us that he is with us, that he will provide for us and protect us, and that he has wonderful plans for us.  And so much more!

Cacophony is all around us.  Some we can’t avoid.  (Like a dredging boat on the lake!)  Some we choose to hear, or at least passively accept. 

Seek the quiet.  Pursue peaceful time to hear God’s speaking.  Be still and listen to your Lord. 

He speaks to us in public worship and Bible studies at our church.  He also speaks to us in our private devotions as we read his Word, as we listen to and sing his truths-put-to-song in Christian music, and as we personally reflect upon his messages.

The roar of the world will be here as long as the world stands.  Thankfully, the quiet voice of the Lord will also be here that long … and well beyond.  (Mt. 24:35). 

The key is finding quiet time to hear the quiet words.

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

1 Kings 19
11 The Lord said [to Elijah], “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.”

Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind.

After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. 

12 After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire.

And after the fire came a gentle whisper. 13 When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave.

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The Benefits of Being Selective

The Benefits of Being Selective

I love to watch the birds.

Our God was so creative in his creating process!  Like every aspect of God’s animal kingdom, birds come in multiple sizes and shapes – most with distinctive features and coloration. 

Some diehard bird watchers chase after the birds, going wherever they need to go to hopefully see different species.  I prefer to bring the birds to me.  Of course, the best way to do that is to hang a bird feeder or feeders in a conveniently observed place.

I have two feeders in easy view from our front windows.  One is an oriole feeder with a very specific food unique to drawing in the black and orange birds.  (Grape jelly!) 

The other is a traditional platform feeder with cages on each end for seed blocks, which the woodpeckers like to peck at.  (I thoroughly enjoy watching them!)  In the main part of the feeder, I pour the seed in from the top, and it spills out on both sides of the platform.

The frustration I ran into with the main feeder was that the birds I really don’t care to feed or watch, (especially grackles and red-wing blackbirds), would bully the rest of the birds away while they gorged themselves.  I’d fill the feeder with common birdseed one day and gangs of those piggy black birds would have it completely cleaned out by the next!

One Sunday afternoon my brother-in-law and my nephew stopped over to fish off our dock.  Not only did we catch a few fish and have a great conversation, but my brother-in-law (an avid bird feeder himself) clued me in to safflower seeds.

I had seen bags of safflower seeds for sale in the birding sections of local stores, but I didn’t really know much about it.  After our talk on the dock, I did some quick research on it.  Turns out that grackles and blackbirds don’t like safflower seed!  Squirrels either!

However, cardinals, bluejays, finches, grossbeaks, and chickadees – some of my favorite birds – love them! 

How did I never hear about this before?

So I purchased my first bag of safflower seed and began to mix it in with the regular seed.  Sure enough, the black birds still came, but they pushed the safflower seeds out of the feeder.  After the typical seed was gone, so largely were the bullies.  But the cardinals and finches still came to eat the leftover safflower seeds!

It didn’t take long until I transitioned completely to the new seed. Now I don’t get nearly the quantity of birds at my feeder, but the visual quality of the those who come, and the frequency of their visits, has improved significantly.

It occurred to me that there is a spiritual application to this.  Simply stated, the things that we choose to “feed” our hearts and minds will correlate with what we see in our spiritual lives.

If we are primarily feeding on the usual “seed” that the world ingests, our hearts, minds and lives will probably be rather common – looking much like the rest of the world.  By the same token, if our spiritual diet is elevated to a higher level, so also will our spiritual well-being.

Stated differently, the more we focus on worldly things (wealth, possessions, position, power, success, and etc.), the more worldly we will be tempted to become.  The more we focus on spiritual things (God’s Word, God’s love, God’s forgiveness and salvation, God’s promises, God’s blessings – both now and forever, and etc.), the more Godly we will become, and the more spiritually stunning we will appear.

Being selective in what we feed the birds can provide great dividends.  Being selective in what we feed ourselves can provide even greater ones!  And much more important ones!

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The Unappealing Path (A Story)

The Unappealing Path (A Story)

The archangel streaked through heaven’s glory, drawn to the brightest Light in that brilliantly lit place.  Or more accurately, to the Beacon whose radiance radiated throughout the entirety of heaven. 

The angel drew to sudden but smooth stop before Jesus – effortlessly executing the transition from an upright posture to a prostrate one in one seamless motion, coming to rest before the Lord with his extensive wings draped over his head in deference to the Mightiest One before him.

“Greetings, Michael,” Jesus said.  “Well done on the battlefront.”

“Our foes are relentlessly fighting.  And they continue to gain spiritual ground among the humans, as you know,” the angel replied. 

“Yes, they are.  It is the way things were predicted, so it is the way things will go.”

“I want to banish them to the darkness immediately!” Michael retorted.

“I know, Michael.  All in due time,” the Lord replied.  He sighed, then he continued.  “As earthly time marches on, more and more people will reject me altogether.  It is prophesied and it is inevitable.  That’s tragic enough, and I grieve for every one of their souls.”

Jesus paused.  “But what really saddens me are all of the people who DO know me … yet miss out on so many of the blessings I intend for them in their earthly lives.”  It was impossible to miss the sorrow in Jesus’ voice.

“Stand, mighty warrior.  I will show you the human dilemma you already understand, but in a manner you haven’t seen before.”

With a single, swift and strong flap of his wings, Michael lifted himself up.  Jesus nodded at him, then swept his arm before them.  Instantly a window opened in the multi-hued glory, revealing a view of an incredible sight. 

Before them stretched an expansive corridor, as wide as a seven-lane freeway.  It was paved with large, impact-absorbing – yet firm, strong and resilient – panels of material.  It was perfectly smooth; even the seams were tight and even. 

Wide billboards lined the way and impressive signs hung over the road.  Simple but brightly lit messages scrolled across their faces: “You are doing great!”  “Relax and enjoy the journey!”  “No doubt – the best route!”  “The wisest don’t despise it!”  “The best way to a new day!”  “The easy leads to the pleasey!”

Food stands were readily available; cold refreshments easily accessible.

The highway descended at a gentle grade with no elevation gain visible at any point.  Comfortable benches were situated throughout for resting where needed.  There were even escalators for the ease of those who preferred not to walk the easy downhill!

Demons, invisible to the people on the path but clear to Michael, were flurrying every which way to provide the support needed to keep the walkway functioning and to promote the comfort of the travelers.

Throngs of people covered the road … across the width and throughout the length.

Impressive gateways stood at the end, beyond which was a swirling, cloudy darkness.  Many paused at that point, but the words emblazoned above the arches seemed to put the travelers at ease.  To their eyes the words said, “ALL WILL BE WELL!”  In reality, they read “WELCOME TO HELL!”

As the people passed through the gates and into the darkness, they toppled helplessly into the pit … while watching demons cackled in evil glee.

“Let us put an end to the demons!” Michael scowled in righteous anger.

“We will.  Again, in due time,” Jesus replied.  “You, of course, recognize what you are seeing.

“Yes, Most Exalted One,” said Michael.  “This is the wide and easy road to the abyss that you spoke of on the mount.  I well recognize it.”

“Indeed,” Jesus replied.  “And what are your observations regarding it?”

“It has always been heavily trafficked.  But lately, even more so.”

“Correct.  Absolutely tragic that so many insist on traveling it,” said Jesus, as a tear slide from his eye.  “The demons coerce, but the people acquiesce.  Travelers on this route think this is the easy way, but it is the opposite.  They are actually miserable already now, but the worst is yet to come.”

The Lord diverted Michael’s attention to the mountains rising immediately beside the highway.  A small, rocky and uneven path wove its way slowly up the flanks and eventually into the heights above.  It appeared to be a challenging route with few amenities available.

Leading to the main but small path were multiple tinier paths which had diverted from the expansive freeway.  The exit signs on the wide way which called attention to these scrabbles were simple and nondescript; barely noticeable among the flashing promotions all around them.

Each exit sign to the narrow path said two simple words: “The Way.”  Further up the mountain where the tiny trails converged into the larger (but still small) path was a sign stating the same: “The Way.”  In comparison to the wide, smooth freeway, only a few people could be seen scrambling up this rough route.

Michael spoke.  “Fewer on this path these days.”

“Thankfully though, some still walk the path of Truth and Life, and pass through the narrow gate into glory,” Jesus replied. 

Then he continued.  “This is the long view … the overview of the two paths to different destinations.  Now let me show you the closer view of the narrow path to heaven.  In some ways, what I’m about to reveal is almost more tragic than the throngs on the highway to hell.  (Though that is the ultimate tragedy!)  Thankfully though, this next tragedy is generally temporary.”

Jesus waved his arm again, and the view changed.  Now they were looking at the narrow, rocky, rising path to heaven.  Angels walked along with the travelers, their wings stretched above and around them in a protective canopy.  “My faithful fighters for you, Most Exalted One,” Michael stated proudly.  Jesus nodded in agreement. 

Demons were also situated along that way, feinting attacks on the people and promoting various side paths.  Naturally, they heavily, alluringly and effectively tried to seduce God’s people down sin paths. 

In addition, the devils sponsored attractive advertisements posted over side paths offering everything the human heart could desire.  Popularity.  Wealth.  Success.  Power.  Fun.  And yes … Ease.  None of which is essentially evil, but all of which can be distracting.

They even tried to pull “The Way” travelers down paths of ongoing poor choices – ones the people knew were unhealthy and unwise.  And down paths of past hurts and heartaches.  Down paths of oppression even!  The devils promoted these routes as “A Familiar Path” or “The Usual and Comfortable.”  And a surprising number of God’s people chose to take them!

In short, the demons promoted any alternate and adjusted route along “The Way” that might attract and appeal, and pull God’s people off the main path.

All these meandering routes still led to heaven, but they increased the difficulty of the trip.  Each side path brought greater struggles – physically, mentally, emotionally, and especially spiritually.  Even the paths labeled “Easier” were harder! 

All of these side path led to multiple additional path options … each extra option heavily pushed by the demons … and each leading only to more problems.  If a traveler on “The Way” took too many side paths or followed them too eagerly or too long, they could eventually find themselves back on the wide and easy path to hell.

But after every side excursion … and even after multiple diversions … the small, least appealing path labeled “The Way” was always accessible. 

Jesus shook his head sadly.  “The tragedy of this view is that all of the people on this path to some degree … and some people to a large degree … get sidetracked from the simplest, most beneficial path onto other detours that rob them of the fullness they can have in me.  And they know better!”

The Savior continued.  “My Way seems less appealing, but it brings so much more!  Even during their lives on earth!  Love!   Forgiveness!  Salvation!  Peace!  Joy!  Self-worth!  Fulfillment!  Purpose!  I bring all these things to people to the degree that they remain on ‘The Way.’  And yet so many choose the detours that bring only more burdens and heartaches.  Any side-trip that turns a person’s focus off me, my saving sacrifice, my love, and my truths essentially robs them of truth, joy and fulfillment.”

The angel responded emphatically, “If only your people recognized this!  The demons!  The distractions!  The disillusions of other paths!”

“Yes, Michael.  If only they did.  My path seems empty, but it is full!  It seems barren, but is alive!  It seems mundane, but is exciting!  It seems more difficult, but is easier!  It seems a dead end, but it leads to life!  It seems unappealing, but is actually most appealing!” 

“But you know all this,” the Lord stated.  He paused, then asked.  “What are your observations from this view?”

“As stated earlier, there are fewer on this path than in the past.  And the travelers seem to be more easily diverted.”

“It has always been a challenging journey.  But now, more than ever,” Jesus replied.

In holy fury, Michael snapped his wings with a load crack.   “Then let us finally do away with these tormenting demons who continue to defy you and deter your people!”

Jesus closed the “window” and looked directly at him.   “I know how you feel, dear archangel.  And this is why I summoned you.  I wanted to share all this to make it clear that we draw closer to the End … to the time when your unending battles will finally end.”

Michael snapped his wings again.  “It cannot come soon enough for me, Most Exalted One!”

The Lord smiled and said, “There are still some who will be brought off the wide and easy road to destruction and onto the narrow path of life.  When the last one steps onto ‘The Way,’ the End will come.”

It was the angel’s turn to smile.  He responded, “I am glad to hear it!  In the meantime, may your people remain on your path, Lord Jesus, and rejoice in all the blessings you bring them there!  It is a narrow path, but the best one!  It is the path to life – both temporally and eternally.”

“That it most definitely is,” the Savior replied.

Then the archangel extended his wings and sped back to the battlefront.

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Matthew 7:13-14
“Enter through the narrow gate.  For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.  But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”

John 14:6
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through me.”

Matthew 11:28-30
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Revelation 22:20-21
[Jesus,] who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.” 

Amen.  Come, Lord Jesus!  The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s people. Amen.

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