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Category: Spiritual Health

Above It All

Above It All

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Plum Gone!

Plum Gone!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Punching Powerful and Invisible Foes

Punching Powerful and Invisible Foes

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Loving the Light

Loving the Light

Two lengthy flowerbeds stretch along the front base of our house.  Since our home faces west, the plants in those beds receive afternoon sunshine, which means they are bathed in the hottest and most direct rays of the sun for the longest possible duration.  Any plants in those beds must be able to tolerate full sun.

So, of course, those are the types of shrubs and flowers I have planted there.  And they certainly prosper – stretching both up and out and bursting with beautiful blooms in due time.

However, there is an interesting disparity between some of the same types of flowers residing in the same beds but different spots.  And the situation repeats year-after-year.  A few of the flowers are noticeably shorter and smaller than their kindred flowers just mere feet away.

In the one bed, a Younique Phlox and Russian Sage are significantly stunted in stature from their twins further down the line.  In the other bed, a New York Aster and Goura can’t compare to the exact same plants rooted nearby.

Why the difference?  They were planted at the same time, in the same soil, and in the same beds.  The soil around them is equally fertilized and weed-free.  They receive the same amount of water at the same times.  So what’s the issue?

The explanation is simple; the dwarfed flowers receive less sunshine than the others.  They are blocked for one reason or another from the full effect of a full afternoon of sunbeams.  The result? They don’t thrive as much as the other plants that enjoy unencumbered rays.

The same thing occurs with Christians.

Those who frequently avail themselves of the light of God’s word tend to bloom and flourish more than their spiritual brothers and sisters who are “light”-starved. 

Perhaps one might argue that there are plants that actually prosper when they receive limited sunshine.  This is true, of course.  But we are not that type of plant! 

We are rated “full sun.”  If we aren’t experiencing regular doses of light, we will certainly wither and our risk of dying spiritually rises exponentially.  Rather, for our souls to thrive, we need extended time in the brilliant, beaming light of God’s word.  And the more we are immersed in Biblical light, the more we burst forth with spiritual foliage, and the more spiritual fruit and flowers we produce.

The amount of faith, trust, peace, joy, confidence, self-esteem, and spiritual security one owns typically corresponds with the amount of “sunshine” to which they have been exposed, (and still ARE being exposed!).

The contrast between light and darkness, spiritually speaking, permeates the Scriptures.  To list just a few of the many examples, there was God’s promise to send the Savior who would bring light into the darkness of this world (Is. 60:1-3).  Later, Jesus announced that he was that very light – “the light of the world” – and that those who follow him will have the light of life (John 8:12).  Jesus also informed us, his followers, that we are now lights in the world, and urged us to let our lights shine! (Mt. 5:14-16).  Finally, the Bible tells us that heaven will be lit by the glory of the Lord, and there will be no night there (Rev. 21:23-25).

But here is the critical key to all the rest.  For us to understand these pictures.  For us to experience these truths and exemplify them.  For us to escape the spiritual darkness … and remain free from it … we must be the recipients, initially and regularly, of the rays of God’s bright and brilliant “sunshine.”  (i.e. His dynamic word – Romans 1:16).

Scripture emphasizes this, and reemphasizes it!

“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy” (1 Peter 2:9-10).  “For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ” (2 Corinthians 4:6).

We were brought into the light of faith by our gracious God through his gospel.  And God’s gospel still provides glorious, life-giving light which results in beautiful bloom and blossoms from believers.  The psalmist writes of the Lord, “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. … The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple” (Psalm 119:105 & 130). “For with you, [O God], is the fountain of life; in your light we see light” (Psalm 36:9).

Which is precisely why “full-sun” plants like us love the light!

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

2 Peter 1:19-21
We also have the prophetic message as something completely reliable, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation of things. For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

Hebrews 4:12
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.

Psalm 118:27-29
The LORD is God, and he has made his light shine on us. … You are my God, and I will praise you; you are my God, and I will exalt you. Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.

Psalm 43:2-4
You are God my stronghold.  … Send me your light and your faithful care, let them lead me; let them bring me to your holy mountain, to the place where you dwell. Then I will go to the altar of God, to God, my joy and my delight. I will praise you with the lyre, O God, my God.

Psalm 27:1
The LORD is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid?

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Finally Done with Learning!

Finally Done with Learning!

It’s graduation season!  It’s that time of year when students, after a lengthy academic journey, formerly move on from elementary school, high school, or college … often reveling in the occasion of finally processing to the swelling sound of “Pomp and Circumstance.”

Many churches also celebrate “Confirmations” in the spring months, which is in essence a spiritual “graduation” of individuals within the Church after learning key truths of the Bible.

In either case, after reaching that point in the educational path, a typical response of the graduate or confirmand is to exult in the idea that he or she is finally done with learning. 

Speaking personally, after four years of Christian high school, four more years of pastor-training college, and then another four years of studying and “apprenticing” through the seminary … I was so done with school!  I definitely rejoiced that my learning seemed to finally be completed.

How wrong I was!  My education was just beginning!

That’s not to say that I didn’t learn during all those years in the classroom.  Rather, that is making the point that practical (and spiritual!) learning continues on a daily basis in the school of real life, the classroom of worship, and the textbook of the Bible.

It’s often been stated that when God is done using us here in this world, he takes us to heaven.  I believe that to be absolutely true.  When we have fulfilled God’s purposes for our lives, he brings us Home. 

In a closely related application, I suspect that when we are done learning … especially spiritually … God transitions us from this world to the next. 

I do understand that sadly sometimes some lose degrees of cognitive ability.  But that doesn’t necessarily affect their soul, or the increase of their spiritual growth.  Especially when faith is rooted in their heart and God’s Word continues to be shared with them.  Who knows what wonderful spiritual insights the Lord is giving them in those difficult days?  Perhaps they are transitioning from a somewhat skeptical mindset back to the childlike faith Jesus praises in Luke 18:17?

When I was a teenager, I rejoiced that I was so much wiser than my father and mother, not only academically, but spiritually as well.  The older I became, the more my ignorance seemed to grow and the smarter my parents seemed to become.  Now I wish with all my heart that my parents’ accumulated knowledge – especially their spiritual wisdom from a long life lived in the Lord – could somehow be transferred to me!  How much wiser I would be!

Are you desiring to be done with learning?  I understand, but please reevaluate!  The wisest man who ever lived devoted the majority of two books in the Bible to the importance of wisdom … not just practical wisdom, but especially spiritual wisdom!

Here’s a good synopsis of Solomon’s point of view and advice: “Instruct the wise and they will be wiser still; teach the righteous and they will add to their learning. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding” (Proverbs 9:9-10).

The wise king also provides the source of ultimate wisdom: “For the LORD gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding” (Proverbs 2:6).  Despite the predominant point of view of much of the world today, there is indeed an absolute truth, and it is found in the Absolute Lord and the words he has provided for us (the Bible!).  Consequently, God’s absolute truth is also the basis for the highest wisdom.

And recognize this: spiritual wisdom isn’t merely academic or intellectual!  Spiritual wisdom goes deeper – to the very heart and soul of a person.  A growing understanding of God’s truths feeds one’s faith and fosters spiritual (and thereby emotional) peace.  Jesus himself states this clearly: “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).

Finally done with learning?  May that never be the case for any of us while we live here in this world! 

No, today is just the first day of spiritual education for the rest of our lives.

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

Psalm 78:1-4, 6-7
My people, hear my teaching; listen to the words of my mouth. I will open my mouth with a parable; I will utter hidden things, things from of old — things we have heard and known, things our ancestors have told us. We will not hide them from their descendants; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the LORD, his power, and the wonders he has done … and they in turn would tell their children. Then they would put their trust in God and would not forget his deeds but would keep his commands.

1 Corinthians 1:18-25
For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.” Where is the wise person? Where is the teacher of the law? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?

For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.

For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.

Colossians 1:9-14
For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light.

For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

Ephesians 1:15-19
For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers.

I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe.

How to Interact on This Blog

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

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Your Life Plan – A Story

Your Life Plan – A Story

Ethan was struggling mightily.  There was no other way to describe the situation; things seemed bleak at best.  His mind was emotionally distraught; his heart spiritually tumultuous.  His days were spent in a mental fog; his nights in unrest.

Over and over he cried out to the Lord, decrying the circumstances; demanding answers; begging God for help.  He poured over the Scriptures, searching for solutions.  Yet his struggle continued.  He was immersed in one of life’s dark valleys, at a loss on how to ascend to the sunshine of the heights yet pleading for God to lift him there.

Tossing and turning one night in another fitful and largely futile attempt to reach the state of slumber, his sheer exhaustion finally dragged him into a deep sleep.  That’s when the Lord Jesus made his appearance.

It was more than the wild randomness and fluffy illogicity of a dream.  Even in his state of deep slumber, Ethan realized that somehow it was real – all real.  Jesus was real, and everything that transpired with Jesus was real.

They stood over an ornate table, he and Jesus, looking down at what appeared to be a sort of topographical map with the geographic details laid out in contoured formations.  (Kind of like one might see in some national parks, the features and elevations of the park graphically displayed.)  Ethan intuitively recognized already at a glance that this was no normal map.  The landscape elicited the comfort of familiarity and, simultaneously, the discomfort of a different view of the familiar.

Ethan’s mind struggled to grasp what he was seeing.  Then he saw the gold script inset into the top of the topographic table: Your Life Plan.  He gasped as it all became clear.  He was gazing down at a map of his life!

With wide eyes and gaping mouth, he raised his view to Jesus.  The Lord was watching him intently, his hands clasped behind his back, his eyes twinkling and a small smile settled on his bearded face.  “Look closer, Ethan,” Jesus suggested quietly.

So Ethan did.

There below him was blazed a golden line that wiggled its way across the table.  Sometimes the line continued straight and true; but usually it zig-zagged either to the right or to the left of the general direction of the path.

Ethan traced the path back to its beginning.  He noticed the line originated at an X and initially was gray.  He looked up to Jesus questioningly.  “That was when you were conceived” Jesus told him.  Tracing the line further, he noticed another X, this time in gold.  “That was when God’s grace brought you to faith and when I began journeying with you.”  Ethan was stunned.

Then he noticed that the gold line became brighter and more pronounced further along the way.  “As I grew older, smarter and stronger?” he asked.

“No, Ethan.  As you grew stronger in your faith through time in my Word,” Jesus answered.  “Physical strength, mental capacity and earthly accomplishments are unimportant on this map.”  Ethan nodded, the extreme importance of feeding one’s faith starkly revealed.  Jesus continued.  “Sadly, for some their line becomes gold at one point but eventually returns to gray.  For others, their line remains gray their entire lives.”

Jesus moved beside Ethan and wrapped his arm around his shoulder. “But that is not what I brought you here to see.  Look closer still.”

Ethan traced his lifeline with his finger.  The path not only zig-zagged back and forth, but it undulated up and down, climbing up rises and descending back down again – sometimes journeying at length in the heights; sometimes tarrying in the valleys.  “What do you make of the many variations, Ethan?”

Ethan hesitated uncomfortably.  Finally, he whispered in shame, “It seems I’ve often wandered off your path.”

“Yes, well, you do have a sinful nature,” the Lord replied.  “But look even closer at some of those side trips.  Especially some of the longer ones.  What do you see?”

Ethan leaned closer to the golden trail, focusing especially on some of the more extreme horizontal wanderings.  “My gold line was growing dimmer.”  He gasped and drew himself nearer still.  “But there’s golden barricades at the end of those lines!”  He looked back to the Lord.  “Does that mean what I think it does?”

Jesus smiled warmly.  “Yes, Ethan.  Your faith was growing weaker as you wandered your own way, but I blocked you from wandering farther from my path.”  The Lord gestured over the table.  “Now project your path if you had continued down some of those long detours.”

Ethan found some of the longer ones and traced their ultimate destination.  He shuddered.  “They end in destruction!  Spiritual starvation!  Steep cliffs to fall over!  Deep waters to drown in!  Spiritual death!  O, Lord, you preserved me!”

“Yes, Ethan.  Sometimes I pushed you; sometimes I pulled you.  Sometimes I knocked you over.  Sometimes I whispered in your ear through various methods.  Whatever it took to redirect you spiritually.  I love you and want you to be with me forever.”

Jesus eyes shimmered, the tears threatening to escape.  “Sadly, some refuse to listen even to me.  They insist on climbing over my barricades.  It never ends well for them.  But again, that is not my reason for bringing you here.”

The Lord looked intently at Ethan.  “I know you are extremely discouraged right now, so I will give you a special insight.  Put your finger again at the beginning of your life path and trace it slowly.”

Ethan tentatively lowered his index finger to the first X and slid it forward.  The realizations began bombarding him – blessings upon blessings upon blessings all along the path, in both the “good times” and the bad, in the pain and the pleasure.  Some he had recognized at the time; most had been unnoticed and unnoted.  New lessons learned and new insights gained. Experiences that had made him “richer” in a multitude of ways.  And astoundingly, some of the greatest blessings of all had come through the most difficult times in his life!

The magnitude of God’s unending faithfulness and goodness overwhelmed Ethan.  He was speechless.

Once again Jesus pointed to the map.  “Find the last X, Ethan”

He did.  It was easy enough to locate near the end of the line.  “Is this my death, Lord?

“No, Ethan, that is not displayed on this map for you to see.  Look closely at that final X.”

The X was in a deep, dark valley.  And the realization struck Ethan; this was where he was right now in his life!  It was one of the deepest depressions on the entire map.  He couldn’t speak.  Once again he looked back at Jesus.

Again the words came.  “Look closer, Ethan.”

Ethan dropped his eyes to the final X.  He noticed two things: his gold faith-line was brighter here than anywhere else on the map, and he noticed that beyond the X the path began to climb again.

It happened so suddenly he couldn’t have hoped to quell it; Ethan began to sob uncontrollably.  Jesus moved even closer and wrapped both his arms around him, embracing him tightly.  “Yes, Ethan, you are stronger spiritually now than you have ever been.  Which is why I have led you to this place.  You needed to rely on me and my promises more.  This valley has helped you do that.”  Jesus paused, then continued.  “And yes, Ethan, I will lead you back out of it in due time.”

Jesus words came quietly and lovingly.  “I have guided you your entire life, Ethan, and I will guide you home to me one day.  Trust me, Ethan.  Trust me.  I’m handling your life plan.”  And Jesus kissed his forehead.

Ethan’s eyes jolted open.  He was back in his bed.  (Still in his bed?)  His pillow was drenched, but his heart was light.  Loving Jesus was guiding him all the way!  There was no reason to despair.

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

God Is Our Guide

Psalm 23:1-4
1  The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing. 2  He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, 3  he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. 4  Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

Psalm 37:23-25
23  The LORD makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him; 24  though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the LORD upholds him with his hand. 25  I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken …

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

Isaiah 30:20-21
20  Although the Lord gives you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction … 21  Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.”

God Blesses Us Through Adversity

Psalm 119:71
It was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn your decrees.

Romans 8:28
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

2 Corinthians 12:9-10
9  But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 10  That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties.  For when I am weak, then I am strong.

We Don’t Understand Now; One Day We Will

Isaiah 55:8-9
8  “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD.  9  “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.

1 Corinthians 13:12
For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face.  Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

We Can Trust Our Loving God Who Has Wonderful Plans for Us

Proverbs 3:5-6
5  Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6  in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.

Jeremiah 29:11
For 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.

Romans 8:35, 37-39
35  Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?  Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? … 37  No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38  For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39  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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Avoid the Noise

Avoid the Noise

The door into my home office happens to be only about 25 feet from the living room television.  That may seem a fair distance away but is actually closer than you might think.  This, by the way, is the same television that is often being watched by someone.  And the same television where my sons play their friends or brothers in online Xbox competitions.  Perhaps you can imagine how boisterous that becomes at times.

Yes, I can shut the office door, and I sometimes did.  But even that didn’t block out all the distracting noise erupting from and in front of the tv.  Plus, there isn’t a heater vent in my office, so the room can grow rather chilly at times if the door is closed.  Another approach I’ve tried has been playing music off my iPod on my iPod player.  This helped, but also failed to fully resolve the dilemma. (Unless I cranked up the volume … which only compounded the problem.)

But finally I found a solution!  I ordered a pair of Bluetooth noise-cancelling headphones from Amazon, and – eureka! – problem solved!  I slip those babies on, and I hear nothing except the music of my choice floating softly into my ears.  (I also don’t hear when my wife tries to ask me something, but that’s another situation and story.)

I realize that some can function just fine with background noise, but most of us find it distracting.  Or at least somewhat distracting. Yet, aren’t our lives pinballing with distracting “noise?”

Our families, our relationships, our property, our jobs, our many responsibilities, our personal wellbeing and our hobbies all ratchet up the noise levels in our lives.  As do our bills, difficulties, challenges, frustrations and anxieties.  COVID has spawned a plethora of additional distractions.  Through it all, our heads and hearts “are on swivels” as our attention is constantly diverted, trying to take everything in.

Friends, this is how it often is for us, but this is not how it should be.  This is not God’s recipe for contentment.

So how do we put on our spiritual noise-cancelling headphones and cut out the distracting noise all around us?  As always, God’s Word provides insight.  The one-word summary is … focus; the two-part approach is … focus on God’s Word, and focus on God.

Want to mute out the distractions of your life?  Step one is dial in the sweet music of God’s Word.  The Lord encourages us to “pay attention to what I say; turn your ear to my words.  Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart; for they are life to those who find them and health to one’s whole body” (Proverbs 4:20-22).  “Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds” (Deuteronomy 11:18).

Step two is to lock our attention onto our God.  That’s kind of obvious, isn’t it?  But it’s easier said than done.  Yet that is Scripture’s encouragement to us; that’s the second part of the Lord’s noise cancelling solution.  

“Fix your thoughts on Jesus” (Hebrews 3:1).  “… Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.  For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.  Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart” (Hebrews 12:1-3). 

And here’s some more noise cancelling words: “Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens: who created all these?  ‘To whom will you compare me?  Or who is my equal?’ says the Holy One.  Do you not know?  Have you not heard?  The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth.  He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.  He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.  Those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint” (Isaiah 40:25-26, 28-29, 31).

As long as we sinful people live in this sinful world, we will be inundated with potential distractions.  But thanks be to God, he provides us with a wholesome and helpful solution to the racket of the world.  The more we focus on the Lord and his Word, the less distracted and dismayed we will be.

This was illustrated to us in dramatic fashion by our Savior himself on a visit with his dear friends, Mary and Martha:  (Luke 10:38-42)

“As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him.  She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said.”

“But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made.  She came to him and asked, ‘Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself?  Tell her to help me!’”

 ‘“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one.  Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”’

Too often we are Marthas; Jesus encourages us to be Marys.  Block out the distractions and concentrate on what is truly important.  We will be the better for it!

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Putting Loss in Perspective

Putting Loss in Perspective

Most people are frustrated by loss.  To clarify, what I mean is that most of us really dislike losing something of value.

For example, if you are like me, you have often tucked something that you knew was important into a “safe place,” only to discover that it was such a safe place you couldn’t find it again when you needed it!  Frustrating, right?

Recently a number of people from our congregation attended a Tacoma Rainiers game (the Seattle Mariners Triple-A baseball team) at lovely Cheney Stadium.  We do this every summer on a Friday fireworks evening, and have a lovely time.  We grill up some food at a tailgate gathering, eat and chat, watch the game and enjoy the fireworks display afterwards.

I was “The Griller” this year.  (Brats, cheddar-filled smoked sausages, and hotdogs, generally grilled to perfection!  Or at least I thought so.)  Realizing I would need to slice open packages of meat, I slipped my favorite jackknife into my pocket beforehand. 

Later that evening, my knife was no longer there.  Either I missed my pocket after using it, or I dropped it when we were instructed to hold the metal objects from our pockets above our heads while going through security.  Either way, my (former) pocket-knife is now either lying somewhere on the Cheney Stadium parking lot or is resting on someone else’s dresser after they found it there.

Losing a nice little knife would always be somewhat upsetting.  But this one was special to me.  I found it while metal-detecting.  Finding pocketknives with a detector is actually quite common, but finding one this nice is rare.  Usually they show the effects of being buried in the ground – frequently so rusted they can’t even be opened.  But this knife was almost brand new – handsome in appearance, easily opened and sharp.  I really liked that knife, and I used it often.

Frustrating!

Yet, as I reflect on the situation, I have to acknowledge that someone else was frustrated before me when he originally lost that blade.  (In fact, as a metal detectorist, the reality is that I specialize in locating items that other frustrated people have lost.)  Now that lovely little knife that was lost once was lost (and perhaps found?) a second time.

Upon even more reflection, this loss is a minor one.  Actually, a very minor one.  There are much more impactful losses that people endure in life; losses of valuable, precious, unique things that sometimes can’t be replaced.

Losing one’s job, their life’s savings, their house, or a family heirloom would qualify.  As would the loss of reputation, a relationship, or a dear pet.  Even more significant examples might be the loss of a loved one, or the loss of one’s health or life.

When these kinds of losses occur, the emotion experienced isn’t frustration; it’s devastation!

Yet as devastating as these losses would be, there is another loss even more devastating.  And sadly it’s a loss that is rarely considered by many … including even Christians.

What is this frequently disregarded yet most devastating loss of all?  It’s the loss of one’s soul.  More specifically, it’s the loss of faith in the Savior in one’s soul. 

Why is this so devastating?  Because when one loses faith in Jesus, they lose God’s forgiveness and they lose salvation.  There are no other losses that can come close to comparing!

The Apostle Paul understood this.  He certainly understood that this is a world of losses.  Living in this world means living with losses.  But it’s a matter of perspective.  What is truly valuable?  What is really precious?  The treasures of the world are actually trash, spiritually speaking, and those things most people regard as worthless (God’s Word, Jesus, souls and faith) are actually priceless. 

Paul summarizes this truth with these words: “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” (Philippians 3:7-9).

Paul himself lost essentially everything, including his very life, due to his devotion to Jesus.  Yet he considered himself the richest of men.  And indeed he was!  As are we who also own the treasure of faith in Jesus our Savior!

I lost a knife I found.  I hope someone else finds the knife I lost, and that it serves them as well as it served me.  But thanks be to God that I haven’t lost my faith, my soul, my Savior or my salvation, because those would truly be losses worth grieving.

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The Most Underutilized Spiritual Weapons: Weapon # 3

The Most Underutilized Spiritual Weapons: Weapon # 3

Our gracious Lord has given us incredible spiritual weapons to use in our spiritual battles.  Unfortunately, these weapons are typically underutilized.

In the past few posts, I indicated that, in my opinion, the most neglected spiritual weapon is God’s Word, and the second most neglected one is formal worship.  Today we explore the third weapon that is often left in the spiritual war cabinet.  I maintain that this weapon is prayer.

And perhaps you would argue that you use this weapon all the time!  Before meals.  After meals.  Before going to bed at night.  And even now and then during the day when something crosses your mind. 

To which I reply, “Good for you!”  But you and I could pray a whole lot more frequently than that! 

In fact, the Lord urges us to “pray continually” (1 Thes. 5:17).  He expects us to keep a running conversation with him.  We thank him.  We praise him.  We share our concerns with him.  We express our frustrations with him.  We ask him to help us.  We entreat him to bring good fortune to others.  We beg him to bless our congregation and church body, and to expand the Kingdom of God in general.  There is no end to the matters you and I can take to the Lord in prayer, so we keep our spiritual Bluetooth connection with the Lord open.

Jesus himself was quite specific regarding prayer:  He said, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.  For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened” (Matthew 7:7-8). 

Jesus’ message was, “Do this and watch your God act!”  Yet we so often don’t. 

Sad to say, the Lord is often our last resort in difficulties.  First, we see what we can do, or whom we know, or what we can buy, or whom we can hire, or what we can arrange, to handle our challenges.  And when all else fails, we finally go to God.  This isn’t always our approach, of course, but it is often enough.

In the same way, as we coast through those times of life rife with blessings, we are often too busy enjoying the good times to talk to God, even to thank him.

Our sinful nature doesn’t want anything to do with conversing with God.  Nor does Satan.  And the world keeps us duly distracted, inhibiting our spiritual conversations as well.  There is a reason for this; the spiritual enemies of God well recognize the power of prayer.

And what an astounding spiritual weapon prayer is!  The Lord has given us direct and continual access to his almighty, all-knowing, and ever-blessing self, and he has promised to answer our every single prayer in love!

We are in continual warfare in the spiritual realm.  Why would we keep the powerful spiritual weapon of prayer locked away?  Rather, it is an incredible and effective weapon, one that should be present and utilized constantly.  Because through prayer we tap into the always victorious God, and this brings spiritual victories to us.

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The Most Underutilized Spiritual Weapons: Weapon # 2

The Most Underutilized Spiritual Weapons: Weapon # 2

Last week I shared what I thought to be the most underutilized spiritual weapon of all – God’s Word.  This week I’ll share my opinion on the second most underutilized weapon.  Admittedly, it could be argued whether weapon two (worship) or weapon three (prayer) is the more crucial or more underutilized.

I’m open to that debate.  However, I will contend that both worship and prayer are crucial spiritual weapons, and both are clearly underutilized. 

I chose worship as the second most neglected weapon … well, because I think it is!  While it’s likely that even the more complacent Christians will still lift up a prayer or two now and then, it is less likely that they will physically bring themselves to a worship service.

To clarify, I understand that worship can happen in many different ways.  Reading the Bible is worship; praying is worship; obeying God is worship; sharing the Gospel with others is worship; living our lives for God is worship too.  Worship, defined broadly, happens in many different manners.  However, for the context of this discussion on spiritual weapons, I am defining worship narrowly, as in gathering together with other believers in God’s house to hear God’s Word.

And based on that definition, perhaps you recognize why worship is such an important spiritual weapon.  If God’s Word is the single most important spiritual weapon, then hearing God’s Word in worship naturally becomes a significant spiritual weapon as well.  Sprinkle in the Sacraments at worship, and the impact increases even more!

Of course, the Lord emphasizes this in the Ten Commandments when he commands, “Remember the Sabbath Day.” In other words, make time for the worship of the Lord in your busy lives!  He also provides us with the well-known passage in Hebrews to underscore the importance of formal worship:

“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” (Hebrews 10:22-25).

In short, God reminds us that in worship around God’s Word, we are drawn closer to God, our faith is assured, our hearts are cleansed, and our hope is upheld.  Furthermore, (and this is significant!), we encourage one another.  We are an encouragement to others who are present, even as their presence is an encouragement to us.  Hearing God’s Word and being together, in turn, fosters love and activity for God and one another. 

And why is this so important?  Because “the Day” is approaching.  Either Jesus will return to earth to put an end to this current world on the Last Day, or Jesus will bring us to our personal last day, calling us out of this world.  Whichever scenario we find ourselves in, we want to be ready!

Worship in God’s house with God’s people around God’s Word helps us grow and be prepared for those significant events.  Which is why formal worship is such an important spiritual weapon, and why the evil three (the devil, the world and our sinful natures) strive so adamantly to keep us away from church.

All of which underscores the vital importance of our attending worship.  My encouragement to each and every one of us is to stop underutilizing this incredibly important spiritual weapon!  God’s given it to us to bless us and bring spiritual victories to us.  The more we utilize the weapon of worship, the better we will fare in the spiritual realm.

And when it comes to spiritual battles, we definitely want to win, through Christ our Savior!

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