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The Simple, Unimaginable, Incredibly Comforting Truth

The Simple, Unimaginable, Incredibly Comforting Truth

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

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

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

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

Simple enough.  Simple even as can be.   

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you and help you;  I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10).

How to Interact on This Blog

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

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Output Versus Input

Output Versus Input

The concept we’re exploring today is not original with me.  I actually heard it on a local Christian radio station, and I thought it was a concept worth sharing.  It’s simply stated and explained, yet it is profound in its simplicity and powerful when understood and implemented.

From little on we are trained to find self-value in what we are able to put out.  It’s a lesson readily learned since it comes so naturally to the human psyche and seems so logical.  The greater the quantity and quality of our output, the more inherent value we feel and find.

The realms of our personal output validators are varied and unique to each individual.  Our personal output indicators may be in the physical, mental, emotional, verbal, relational, occupational, educational, societal or familial worlds.  Yet the cause and effect are the same: when we are able to output effectively, we tend to feel good about ourselves. 

Unfortunately, the inevitable is that there will come times when our output is substandard.  Even more so as we age and our ability and energy flags and fades.  And then what happens to our self-esteem?  If it is based on our output (as it is for most!), we’re in trouble!

Many is the time I’ve counseled individuals who were struggling mentally and emotionally because they just couldn’t do what they used to be able to do.  Their self-worth was based on their output … and their output was leaving them devastated.  Eventually, one’s output will leave every output-based person devastated. 

Which brings us to the importance of input – both recognizing and pursuing positive input.

Kind and encouraging words from loved ones certainly qualifies as positive input; warm support from people is important and is certainly helpful.  But sometimes that is hard to come by or is not enough. 

The most crucial input is the input our God gives us in his Word!

Yes, the condemnation of the law which shows us our sinfulness isn’t pleasant.  It’s important we all take this to heart; we are all sinful and the Lord hates sin.  But don’t stop at the law.  Let it drive you desperately and eagerly to God’s gospel, which tells us about God’s love … and mercy … and grace … and atonement … and forgiveness … and salvation. 

Furthermore, embrace those truths God shares with us about who we now are in the crucified and risen Jesus Christ.  This is the input we desperately need!

Words like these:

“… You were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God” (1 Corinthians 6:11).

Or these:

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” (2 Corinthians 5:17)

Or this long, wonderful, self-esteem-boosting list:

“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).

These are just some of the thousands of messages God gives us in his Scriptures.  Search the Scriptures and you’ll find plenty of incredible input.  God tells us he has loved us with an everlasting love (Jer. 31:3), a love so lavish that he considers us his very children (1 Jn. 3:1) and rejoices over us with singing! (Zeph. 3:17). 

These are truths God wants us to take to heart; crucial, positive, self-esteem-lifting input God wants us to embrace. 

The Lord knows this input … given by the One whose output is always perfect and always perfectly blesses … will completely transform our self-perspective. 

As Paul prayed: “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (Romans 15:13).

The vast majority of the world looks to one’s output as the basis for value.  But that’s a disappointing path.  Be different.  Be better!  Or rather, learn a better way to evaluate yourself!  “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Romans 12:2). 

Far better for us to find our value in the input God gives.  And he values us immensely!  Of all astounding things, he informs us that we are precious in his sight! (Is. 43:4).

When our self-esteem is based on our output, it will eventually and undoubtedly collapse.  When based on God’s input, however, it will soar!  

Which underscores the importance of being in our Bibles and mining these golden truths!  There’s an abundance of wealth just waiting to be uncovered there and make us spiritually rich.  It’s exactly the input we need to prosper in this output-based world.

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Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts … And be thankful.  Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you [encourage one another] and [praise] … God with gratitude in your hearts.  (Colossians 3:15-16)

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!

Wonderfully Made; Incredibly Special!

Wonderfully Made; Incredibly Special!

Here’s a post I previously shared.  It seemed a blessing to some then; God grant it’s a blessing to some now!

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If you could change one thing about yourself, what would you alter?

I’m sorry, but removing your sinful nature isn’t an option.  (Much as we would dearly love to shed that ugly part of ourselves!)  Rest assured, the Lord will definitely handle that – and completely! – when he calls us home to him.

Our sinfulness is a trait we all share, and one that we bear in common throughout our existence in this world, so it doesn’t qualify for this whimsy.  There are plenty of other qualities we possess that are somewhat unique to ourselves.  Which of those personal characteristics would you switch out if you were able?

I’m fairly confident that each one of us could think of at least one thing we would change about ourselves, if provided the opportunity.  And probably many of us could enumerate multiple items.

What would our chosen change be? 

A little taller?  A little shorter?  A little slimmer?  A little curvier or more muscular? 

Younger with more energy?  Older with more wisdom?

More handsome or beautiful?  More educated?  More athletic, artistic, or adventurous?  More musical?  More practical? 

Handier?  Hipper?  Healthier? 

Wiser?  Wittier?  Less of a worrier?  More confident?

More hair?  Less hair?  Different hair?  A different color of hair?

A modification of our nose, ears, lips, or eye shade? 

An improvement in one or several of our senses?

More tech or social media savvy?  More tool knowledge?  More craftiness? (As in, gifted at crafts, not deceitful!)  A general boost in some desirable skillset?

Less impatient, less prone to anger, or less judgmental?  Greater tact?  Greater empathy or love for others … even those drastically different than us?

Then there are some incredibly personal, private and perhaps even painful possibilities that come to mind.

The options are countless!  So what would you change in your fundamental self if given the chance?

The fact that we are able to list off some options betrays us.  It demonstrates that our self-esteem is damaged, at least to some degree.  (Yet another unfortunate aspect of our sinful nature.)  We all struggle with contentment at who and what we are; we all recognize we could be different, better, grander.

To which I say what God says: “We are God’s handiwork!” (Ephesians 2:10a).   Not only spiritually, but physically!  In the book of Job, Elihu states it this way: “The Spirit of God has made me; the breath of the Almighty gives me life” (Job 33:4).

In his typical eloquent way, David gushes his praise to God his (and our) Creator: “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.  I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well” (Psalm 139:13-14).

What would you change?  What should you change?  Nothing!  You are just the way God wants you to be.  You are “fearfully and wonderfully made” by the Lord himself!

Of course, I’m not referring to our sinfulness.  God didn’t make sin!  Nor did he place sin in us; we inherit that from our sinful parents.  Consequently, we absolutely long (and strive!) to abandon those sin-habits that plague us.  Our entire life is an ongoing battle against our undesirable tendencies that flow from our flesh.

Nor am I suggesting that we not try to learn new skills, temper negative tendencies, or foster general attitude improvements.  We always desire to become better people.

Rather, I’m referring to our fundamental selves.  There are a host of issues that we cannot alter, much as we may wish we could. 

And that’s okay.  In fact, that’s pretty neat.  Exciting.  Awesome even!  Something to celebrate instead of mourn.  We are “wonderfully made” by a loving, all-knowing God who recognizes exactly what we need to be and why we need to be that way.  He has plans for our inadequacies; blessings and insights to bring us and others through them. 

That actually makes us incredibly special … just the way we are!

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!

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.

The Special You

The Special You

Have you ever stared in amazement as you observed someone performing some spectacular feat?  Whether on an athletic field or court, on a stage, or in another medium, we’ve all observed with awe the abilities of others.  In fact, each of us personally knows some incredibly talented folks; people who possess talents we can’t begin to duplicate.  Whether it be knowledge, an acquired ability or an inherent skill, there are many at whom we marvel.

Maybe the one you admire is a coworker who has proven to be exceptional at her work; perhaps a classmate who excels at athletics; possibly an acquaintance with unearthly technological know-how; a family member who is a natural conversationalist; or a church member who sings like an angel.  Chances are it’s not just one you admire, but many!  The list of talented people is long.  As is the list of talents you clearly don’t have.

And the temptation is always there to feel profoundly inadequate, boringly normal, stunningly average and spectacularly un-special.

All of which is profoundly incorrect!

The Lord has actually created you to be completely adequate for whatever special tasks he wants you to do.  You happen to be fascinatingly unique; your personality, experiences, interests and abilities all intertwine into a wonderful you.  In fact, you are exceedingly special!

At the risk of sounding like a life-coach, let me share a few reasons why you are indeed special.

The first reason you are a very special you is because of the personal talents that you possess.  While you may be in awe of the skills that others have, be assured that others are in awe of yours!  Those things which come easy to you, that you take for granted, and that others often compliment you about … those are unique gifts God has given you.  Perhaps you aren’t even aware of the talents you display, but those close to you certainly see them.  Undoubtedly you  have other gifts that you haven’t even discovered yet.  But rest assured that God has built you with some very special abilities.

Not only does the Lord endow you with unique physical or mental talents, but the Bible tells us that the Holy Spirit blesses every single believer with at least one, and often several, spiritual gifts.  The Apostle Paul writes, “Now about the gifts of the Spirit, brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be uninformed. … There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. … He distributes them to each one, just as he determines” (1 Corinthians 12:1, 4, 11).  There is great variety in the spiritual gifts the Holy Spirit brings, but every Christian has been given at least one.  Yes, you are indeed special!

There’s a reason you were given your spiritual gift.  “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms” (1 Peter 4:10).  In 1 Corinthians 12, the Lord provides a striking illustration of this truth.  He shows how every believer is a unique part of the body of Christ, (the Church) and thereby serves a unique and vital role for the Body.  None of us is the whole body; however each of us is a significant part.  (1 Corinthians 12:27).  Without our special contribution (ability!), the body is lacking.  With it, the body prospers.  This is no small thing!

Then there is that mind-boggling truth that all Christians have Christ living in them.  So not only are you connected to the Body of Christ, but Christ is embedded in you.  (Galatians 2:20).  This alone makes you wonderfully special!

But I’ve saved the best for last.  You are special because you are dearly loved by the Lord.  Yes, it’s true that he loves everyone.  While that’s a key point, it’s not the key point in this discussion.  Rather, I want to impress upon you that the Lord loves you! Yes, you!  You personally! As a matter of fact, he loves you dearly.  If you happened to be the only sinner on earth, the only existing person on the planet, Jesus still would have given his life to redeem you.  God doesn’t do something like that for just anyone; he only does it for special people.

Listen and take to heart these words from Scripture:  “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38-39).

All of which makes it clear; you are indeed incredibly special.  You are unique and wonderful.  David marveled at his (and our) specialness and was moved to praise God because of it.  “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.  I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well” (Psalm 139:13-14).

Don’t let Satan or anyone try to tell you otherwise; there is no one else on earth like the special you!

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!

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.

Our “Item Description”

Our “Item Description”

Here’s a post I shared several years ago.  I believe it is equally applicable still today.  I pray it gives you food for thought and nutrition for your soul.

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Were you aware that the term “item description” is a thing?  Not a general, generic thing, but an actual, important, frequently-used thing?  As a matter of fact, there is plenty of online attention devoted specifically to compiling effective item or product descriptions.   

What is an “item description?”  It’s the marketing summary that explains what a product is and why it’s worth purchasing.  The product description’s goal is to supply readers with information on the features and benefits of something so the customer is compelled to buy it (i.e. a sales pitch!).

Marsha Collier describes it this way, “After you hook potential bidders with your title, reel’em in with a fabulous description for your items. … Think infomercial (the classier the better).”  She then proceeds to provide a list of suggestions for writing a magnificent item description.  Here are some of her key points:

  • Write a factual description.
  • Accentuate the positive.
  • Include the negative.
  • Include short, friendly banter.
  • Be concise and to the point – don’t ramble!

As I considered the concept of item descriptions, I was intrigued by the thought of compiling our own descriptions.  How would we describe ourselves within the above parameters to “sell” others on how to view us?

Here’s my attempt at my own item (person) description:

Do you like hanging around with older, shorter guys?  Then this is your type of guy!  David is 5 feet 6 inches short (and getting shorter with age!) with gray hair (and getting grayer!).  But as they say, great things come in small, white-crowned packages!  And all the better if they have a few years of wear and tear.  Stocky but generally durable; usually quiet but able to carry on an animated discussion; fairly well-read and even knowledgeable of Scripture; a man of faith with an avid love of the outdoors, David would be an excellent companion, whether you have some chores that need doing, a craving to chat, a spiritual question, or a hankering for an outdoor adventure.  Your life will be better with David around!

I’m not sure if that is a solid item description of me or not.  What I can tell you is that the description was far more difficult to write than I anticipated it would be.  If you doubt this, try writing an item description of yourself yourself.  (Yes, there is supposed to be two “yourselfs” in that last sentence.)  I suspect you might struggle with the words as well.

That difficulty is compounded a hundred-fold were we to attempt to describe ourselves to God.   How do we “sell” ourselves to the holy, all-knowing Lord?  Thinking about it, here is what I came up with:

I have nothing to offer you, Lord.  Even my good qualities and various talents flow entirely from your creating hand.  I have disobeyed your every command in every aspect of my life.  I am a despicable sinner who deserves nothing but the worst from you.  But I cling in faith to Jesus, who lived and died in my place, atoning for my every atrocity, and then rose back to life.  That’s all I have, but in Jesus I trust I have it all.

That’s a drastically different person description than the first one, isn’t it?  But what else can I say about myself to the Lord almighty – to the perfect and perfectly righteous God?

And what might be the Lord’s description of me (and all who rely upon Jesus’ atonement)?  I’m only speculating, of course.  But in light of Scripture, I suspect He might describe me/us something like this:

Loved!  Forgiven!  Saved!  Blessed!

Or perhaps the Lord would revert to the words he inserted in the Bible?  This is more elaborate but top-notch item description:

“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)

Now that’s a description I will gladly accept!

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!

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.

Wonderfully Made; Incredibly Special!

Wonderfully Made; Incredibly Special!

If you could change one thing about yourself, what would you alter?

I’m sorry, but removing your sinful nature isn’t an option.  (Much as we would dearly love to shed that ugly part of ourselves!)  Rest assured, the Lord will definitely handle that – and completely! – when he calls us home to him.

Our sinfulness is a trait we all share, and one that we bear in common throughout our existence in this world, so it doesn’t qualify for this whimsy.  There are plenty of other qualities we possess that are somewhat unique to ourselves.  Which of those personal characteristics would you switch out if you were able?

I’m fairly confident that each one of us could think of at least one thing we would change about ourselves, if provided the opportunity.  And probably many of us could enumerate multiple items.

What would our chosen change be? 

A little taller?  A little shorter?  A little slimmer?  A little curvier or more muscular? 

Younger with more energy?  Older with more wisdom?

More handsome or beautiful?  More educated?  More athletic, artistic, or adventurous?  More musical?  More practical? 

Handier?  Hipper?  Healthier? 

Wiser?  Wittier?  Less of a worrier?  More confident?

More hair?  Less hair?  Different hair?  A different color of hair?

A modification of our nose, ears, lips, or eye shade? 

An improvement in one or several of our senses?

More tech or social media savvy?  More tool knowledge?  More craftiness? (As in, gifted at crafts, not deceitful!)  A general boost in some desirable skillset?

Less impatient, less prone to anger, or less judgmental?  Greater tact?  Greater empathy or love for others … even those drastically different than us?

Then there are some incredibly personal, private and perhaps even painful possibilities that come to mind.

The options are countless!  So what would you change in your fundamental self if given the chance?

The fact that we are able to list off some options betrays us.  It demonstrates that our self-esteem is damaged, at least to some degree.  (Yet another unfortunate aspect of our sinful nature.)  We all struggle with contentment at who and what we are; we all recognize we could be different, better, grander.

To which I say what God says: “We are God’s handiwork!” (Ephesians 2:10a).   Not only spiritually, but physically!  In the book of Job, Elihu states it this way: “The Spirit of God has made me; the breath of the Almighty gives me life” (Job 33:4).

In his typical eloquent way, David gushes his praise to God his (and our) Creator: “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.  I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well” (Psalm 139:13-14).

What would you change?  What should you change?  Nothing!  You are just the way God wants you to be.  You are “fearfully and wonderfully made” by the Lord himself!

Of course, I’m not referring to our sinfulness.  God didn’t make sin!  Nor did he place sin in us; we inherit that from our sinful parents.  Consequently, we absolutely long (and strive to!) abandon those sin-habits that plague us.  Our entire life is an ongoing battle against our undesirable tendencies that flow from our flesh.

Nor am I suggesting that we not try to learn new skills, temper negative tendencies, or foster general attitude improvements.  We always desire to become better people.

Rather, I’m referring to our fundamental selves.  There are a host of issues that we cannot alter, much as we may wish we could. 

And that’s okay.  In fact, that’s pretty neat.  Exciting.  Awesome even!  Something to celebrate instead of mourn.  We are “wonderfully made” by a loving, all-knowing God who recognizes exactly what we need to be and why we need to be that way.  He has plans for our inadequacies; blessings and insights to bring us and others through them. 

That actually makes us incredibly special … just the way we are!

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!

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.

Simple Victories

Simple Victories

The beginning of a new year tends to be a time of reflection.  What am I content with in my world?  What do I want to change?  What do I NEED to change?

As we consider these things, I think we tend to regard our choices on changes as needing to be significant ones.  And perhaps significant changes are needed?  After all, none of us truly has our lives totally together.  By all means, we should attempt to address areas that need addressing.  We all have key areas that need some adjusting; we can all become better men and women.

However, with grandiose plans it is all too common to dream big, fall short and eventually fall flat.  Which is discouraging.  So we tell ourselves, “Oh, well, I’ll try again soon, or maybe next year.  I’ll get it done one these times.”

By all means, don’t stop attempting to become a better person!  But perhaps a different approach might be beneficial?  Perhaps being content with the simple victories would be a wiser approach?

Let me explain with an example.  I enjoy metal detecting.  Most people would assume that the best metal detecting finds are under the surface, requiring at least some effort to retrieve. And typically this is true.  The benefit of the metal detector is that it indicates when there is metal below the coil of the detector.  Usually whatever set off the detector is below the surface, and usually the older items (e.g. coins) are indeed deeper in the soil. 

But not always!

A while back I had the opportunity to break away for some much-needed R&R.  I stayed in a rustic yurt in a Washington state park.  In our state, some of our state parks actually allow metal detecting in designated areas.  By design, I was in one of those parks, and I had most of the area around me all to myself!  Furthermore, it was all open to detecting.

In limited time between the heavy rain showers, I found over sixty coins.  I dug up most of them.  But perhaps a third of my finds were simply resting on the surface.  In other words, “surface finds.”  Some of the coins I spotted even before swinging the detector over them.

Surface finds are easy victories.  They don’t take much time or effort to retrieve, but still supply satisfaction and joy. 

Granted, most of the coins I discovered were just pennies, and none of them were terribly old.  But each find was an accomplishment.  And some of the coins, even some lying on the surface, were worth ten pennies (dimes); some worth twenty-five (quarters).

They all went into my recovery pouch … even the ones resting on the surface.  Never did it occur to me to bypass the easy victories!  They all counted!  They were all accomplishments!  And the surface finds were simply retrieved, yet still counted for the same face value as the coins I had to dig up.

Easy victories!  But abundantly satisfying!

Do you have big plans for personal improvements in this new year?  Good for you, and God’s blessings on your efforts!  But don’t overlook the little blessings and the minimal advances.  Any progress is still progress, and is still an accomplishment.  Any accomplishment is worth celebrating.  And multiple little wins can ultimately lead to great ones.

David wrote, “May [the LORD] give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed.  May we shout for joy over your victory and lift up our banners in the name of our God. May the LORD grant all your requests” (Psalm 20:4-5).

Or to say it another way, may the Lord give you many simple victories this year!  And may He help us appreciate every single one.

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Sought After and Found

Sought After and Found

I used to be on display.  Customers used to see me … consider me.  Some picked me up and turned me to and fro, admiring my green leaves and glorious flowers.  I was even in a shopping cart once!  I was sure I was going home with someone to be planted in their flowerbed.  I knew I would flourish and produce lovely blooms there.  But the man settled on another type of plant and placed me back on the rack.

It was springtime; the ideal time of year to plant lupines like me.  Surely someone would want a hardy perennial like me, wouldn’t they?  Surely someone would have a place to display me?  More people checked me out.  Lifted me up and looked me over carefully.  Compared me with other lupines near me.  But I was always returned to the shelf; was always passed over for other choices.

The numbers of my relatives around me dwindled.  I watched as people swept them up and took them away.  Once I was one among many.  Gradually I was one among a few.  Eventually I was the only one.  The other lupines were all desired; no one apparently wanted me.

Spring turned to summer, and the days became hotter and longer.  Gardeners were now looking for different types of plants; their spring bloomers were already well settled and flowered in their beds. 

I was all alone.  No one afforded me even a passing glance anymore.  One day one of the attendants at the store raised me from my perch.  Had someone requested me?  Did someone finally want me? 

Apparently not.  I was unceremoniously dropped into the gloomy place under the display shelves where people never looked.  The sun barely reached me there.  The waterers didn’t bother to quench my thirst.  My leaves wilted; my life was ebbing away.  All I could muster was one tiny, green shoot.  So this is how it ended for the unwanted and undesirable.

But then came the morning when he came looking for me.  I overheard him talking to one of the workers.  “Hey, you don’t happen to have any lupines left, do you?  I’ve been looking all over for one.  I transplanted one at my place and it didn’t make it.   I’d like to replace it, if I can.”

“Here!  Over here … tucked under this shelf!  I’m a lupine!” I wanted to shout. 

“I’m sorry, sir.  I don’t think we do,” stated the woman.  “I haven’t seen any for some time now.

I was frantic.  “Yes, you do!  Yes, you do!  I’m right here!”

The man replied, “Yeah, I know this isn’t usually the time to buy them and plant them, but I thought I’d try anyway.  I’ll just check to make sure.”

And he started walking toward my hiding place, his eyes scanning both on the shelves and below.  He was looking carefully.  He drew closer.  He spotted my distinctive multifaceted leaves, yellow and wilted though they were.  He gasped, and he eagerly pulled me into the sunlight.  He lifted me up to display me to the saleslady.  “You DO have one!”  He was ecstatic.  “Looks pretty rough but I’ll trim it back, plant it, water and fertilize it.  I bet it will be gorgeous this next spring.”

He searched for me – for me! – and he found me.  He loved and joyed in me despite my horrible condition.  Before he came,  hope had been gone; death was certain.  But then against all odds and practicality, he came looking for me and rescued me.  He saved my life!  I’ll be healthy and beautiful, and I’m so grateful.

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

This is a true story.  (Other than the lupine thinking, of course.)  I was the man who came looking for the flower, and who rescued it when it was in dire straits.  It is now nestled in a special planter in my back yard.  While the time of year doesn’t lend to the flower flourishing, it is definitely more healthy than when first found.  (The picture above is the actual plant.)  The original sole shoot has grown considerably, and more are sprouting.

There was another who was hapless and hopeless, headed for certain death.  It was me.  But Someone came looking for me.  The Lord sought me in great love and eagerness, and he found me, withered and broken … as undesirable as I could be.  Detestable, even!  Yet the gaze he settled on me wasn’t filled with contempt, but with joy.

His search for me began before the world was formed.  He loved me already then!  He nurtured that love throughout history.  Eventually his search brought him to a manger and finally to a bloody cross.  His search continued as he exited the tomb, alive again, and as he ascended victoriously to heaven.  And even from heaven he sought me, providing his Holy Spirit and his Word to reach out to draw me close to him. 

It’s an astounding love; an incredible search.  In his grace, the Lord sought me and found me.  He saved my soul.  He nursed me to health and made me beautiful, and I’m so very grateful.

That same Savior has sought and found many others as well.  He continues to search.  He will always search.  And he will always rejoice when he finds hearts open to him.

How incredible to have One such as He searching for ones such as we!

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

Ezekiel 34 – selected verses

“My sheep wandered over all the mountains and on every high hill. They were scattered over the whole earth, and no one searched or looked for them.”

“… This is what the Sovereign LORD says: ‘I myself will search for my sheep and look after them.  As a shepherd looks after his scattered flock when he is with them, so will I look after my sheep. I will rescue them from all the places where they were scattered on a day of clouds and darkness. 

I will bring them out from the nations and gather them from the countries, and I will bring them into their own land.  … There they will lie down in good grazing land, and there they will feed in a rich pasture … I myself will tend my sheep and have them lie down, declares the Sovereign LORD.  I will search for the lost and bring back the strays.  I will bind up the injured and strengthen the weak …’”

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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The Special You

The Special You

Have you ever stared in amazement as you observed someone performing some spectacular feat?  Whether on an athletic field or court, on a stage, or in another medium, we’ve all observed with awe the abilities of others.  In fact, each of us personally knows some incredibly talented folks; people who possess talents we can’t begin to duplicate.  Whether it be knowledge, an acquired ability or an inherent skill, there are many at whom we marvel.

Maybe the one you admire is a coworker who has proven to be exceptional at her work; perhaps a classmate who excels at athletics; possibly an acquaintance with unearthly technological know-how; a family member who is a natural conversationalist; or a church member who sings like an angel.  Chances are it’s not just one you admire, but many!  The list of talented people is long.  As is the list of talents you clearly don’t have.

And the temptation is always there to feel profoundly inadequate, boringly normal, stunningly average and spectacularly un-special.

All of which is profoundly incorrect!

The Lord has actually created you to be completely adequate for whatever special tasks he wants you to do.  You happen to be fascinatingly unique; your personality, experiences, interests and abilities all intertwine into a wonderful you.  In fact, you are exceedingly special!

At the risk of sounding like a life-coach, let me share a few reasons why you are indeed special.

The first reason you are a very special you is because of the personal talents that you possess.  While you may be in awe of the skills that others have, be assured that others are in awe of yours!  Those things which come easy to you, that you take for granted, and that others often compliment you about … those are unique gifts God has given you.  Perhaps you aren’t even aware of the talents you display, but those close to you certainly see them.  Undoubtedly you  have other gifts that you haven’t even discovered yet.  But rest assured that God has built you with some very special abilities.

Not only does the Lord endow you with unique physical or mental talents, but the Bible tells us that the Holy Spirit blesses every single believer with at least one, and often several, spiritual gifts.  The Apostle Paul writes, “Now about the gifts of the Spirit, brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be uninformed. … There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. … He distributes them to each one, just as he determines” (1 Corinthians 12:1, 4, 11).  There is great variety in the spiritual gifts the Holy Spirit brings, but every Christian has been given at least one.  Yes, you are indeed special!

There’s a reason you were given your spiritual gift.  “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms” (1 Peter 4:10).  In 1 Corinthians 12, the Lord provides a striking illustration of this truth.  He shows how every believer is a unique part of the body of Christ, (the Church) and thereby serves a unique and vital role for the Body.  None of us is the whole body; however each of us is a significant part.  (1 Corinthians 12:27).  Without our special contribution (ability!), the body is lacking.  With it, the body prospers.  This is no small thing!

Then there is that mind-boggling truth that all Christians have Christ living in them.  So not only are you connected to the Body of Christ, but Christ is embedded in you.  (Galatians 2:20).  This alone makes you wonderfully special!

But I’ve saved the best for last.  You are special because you are dearly loved by the Lord.  Yes, it’s true that he loves everyone.  While that’s a key point, it’s not the key point in this discussion.  Rather, I want to impress upon you that the Lord loves you! Yes, you!  You personally! As a matter of fact, he loves you dearly.  If you happened to be the only sinner on earth, the only existing person on the planet, Jesus still would have given his life to redeem you.  God doesn’t do something like that for just anyone; he only does it for special people.

Listen and take to heart these words from Scripture:  “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38-39).

All of which makes it clear; you are indeed incredibly special.  You are unique and wonderful.  David marveled at his (and our) specialness and was moved to praise God because of it.  “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.  I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well” (Psalm 139:13-14).

Don’t let Satan or anyone try to tell you otherwise; there is no one else on earth like the special you!

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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Our “Item Description”

Our “Item Description”

Were you aware that the term “item description” is a thing?  Not a general, generic thing, but an actual, important, frequently-used thing?  As a matter of fact, there is plenty of online attention devoted specifically to compiling effective item or product descriptions.   

What is an “item description?”  It’s the marketing summary that explains what a product is and why it’s worth purchasing.  The product description’s goal is to supply readers with information on the features and benefits of something so the customer is compelled to buy it (i.e. a sales pitch!).

Marsha Collier describes it this way, “After you hook potential bidders with your title, reel’em in with a fabulous description for your items. … Think infomercial (the classier the better).”  She then proceeds to provide a list of suggestions for writing a magnificent item description.  Here are some of her key points:

  • Write a factual description.
  • Accentuate the positive.
  • Include the negative.
  • Include short, friendly banter.
  • Be concise and to the point – don’t ramble!

As I considered the concept of item descriptions, I was intrigued by the thought of compiling our own descriptions.  How would we describe ourselves within the above parameters to “sell” others on how to view us?

Here’s my attempt at my own item (person) description:

Do you like hanging around with older, shorter guys?  Then this is your type of guy!  David is 5 feet 6 inches short (and getting shorter with age!) with gray hair (and getting grayer!).  But as they say, great things come in small, white-crowned packages!  And all the better if they have a few years of wear and tear.  Stocky but generally durable; usually quiet but able to carry on an animated discussion; fairly well-read and even knowledgeable of Scripture; a man of faith with an avid love of the outdoors, David would be an excellent companion, whether you have some chores that need doing, a craving to chat, a spiritual question, or a hankering for an outdoor adventure.  Your life will be better with David around!

I’m not sure if that is a solid item description of me or not.  What I can tell you is that the description was far more difficult to write than I anticipated it would be.  If you doubt this, try writing an item description of yourself yourself.  (Yes, there is supposed to be two “yourselfs” in that last sentence.)  I suspect you might struggle with the words as well.

That difficulty is compounded a hundred-fold were we to attempt to describe ourselves to God.   How do we “sell” ourselves to the holy, all-knowing Lord?  Thinking about it, here is what I came up with:

I have nothing to offer you, Lord.  Even my good qualities and various talents flow entirely from your creating hand.  I have disobeyed your every command in every aspect of my life.  I am a despicable sinner who deserves nothing but the worst from you.  But I cling in faith to Jesus, who lived and died in my place, atoning for my every atrocity, and then rose back to life.  That’s all I have, but in Jesus I trust I have it all.

That’s a drastically different person description than the first one, isn’t it?  But what else can I say about myself to the Lord almighty – to the perfect and perfectly righteous God?

And what might be the Lord’s description of me (and all who rely upon Jesus’ atonement)?  I’m only speculating, of course.  But in light of Scripture, I suspect He might describe me/us something like this:

Loved!  Forgiven!  Saved!  Blessed!

Or perhaps the Lord would revert to the words he inserted in the Bible?  This is more elaborate but top-notch item description:

“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)

Now that’s a description I will gladly accept!